Just wanted to let you all know that we made it to
La Roca in Lima, Peru last night around 2 am. It was
about 23 hours in transit. The team is a little tired,
but excited to be here. We were joined by a team of
physicians and dentists and are about ready to board
a bus to travel to Huancayo, 125 miles, 7-8 hrs, up
to 14,500 ft at some point in the journey.
Pray for the people of Peru and Huancayo, especially.
We will try to send an update from the team with pictures
when we get to Huancayo. We are going to arrive in
time to attend a worship service tonight. Tomorrow
we will begin the day camps.
For His Glory,
Jeff K. for the team
March 6
The first camp was put on in a park located in the
center of a town called Pucara. At one point there
were more than 130 people that we were ministering
to. We presented three testimonies and a clear message
of the gospel. During the gospel presentation a cold
rain came in and many of the children began to leave.
It was a bit discouraging because it was the most
important part of the presentation. With the power
of prayer, God brought the sun out and amazingly the
kids returned to hear the rest of the message. Many
came to know the Lord and we are looking forward to
ministering to them again tomorrow.
Jeff Kautz is lifting up this little Peruvian boy
to his goal, which is a perfect example of how we
were able to lift up the children to their spiritual
goal of a relationship with Christ.
The SportReach team with the campers and their families
from the first town.
The volleyball campers are out on the court putting
their new skills to use.
This afternoon we went to another park in a town
called Chilca. We had the awesome opportunity to join
together with a medical mission's team who were providing
free medical attention. This drew well over 200 people
to the sports clinics that we were able to share the
gospel with. We were pleased with the turnout but
at the same time a bit overwhelmed because of the
lack of workers. Just as Christ said in Luke 10:2
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are
few." We did our best, the Lord worked through
it, and he brought several more to him.
Lorre McKeone is presenting her testimony while Alexis
Loayza is interpreting for the campers at the second
park.
All the basketball campers are lined up for some passing
drills.
What a crowd! Another powerful message was presented
to the largest group yet, and as a result too many
to count came to know the Lord.
Amanda W. and Kara for the team
March 7
Hola, from Peru! We enjoyed another awesome day!
We started out in the town of Pucara at the same location
where we were yesterday morning. We decided to go
back because the Peruvians were so open and there
was a great opportunity to continue to share the Gospel
with them. We could see in the Peruvians the fun that
they were having with us. To us this highlighted the
connection that we made with the kids through sports.
After some playing we sat down and listened to the
testimonies of Bonnie, Amanda, and Tiana. When they
were finished giving their testimonies we went back
and played more sports with the kids. The key time
came after we were done with the sports. Carlos presented
the Gospel while panting a picture and explaining
it. When he was finished we split back up into the
sport groups to use our Evangecubes. This was a stretching
experience for us, because we spoke in Spanish. The
Peruvian staff was also helping us with the phrases.
The translators took over once we reached the point
where kids could make a decision for Christ. This
was a very effective way to present the Gospel in
smaller groups.
In the afternoon we headed to a location in Huancayo.
There were many kids of all ages and some adults also.
The sports started off slow at first but the kids
kept coming. In a short time there were many kids
in all the sports having a blast! The kids were very
interactive and receptive to us. After the first session
of sports we heard from Kara, Grayson, and Jeff. The
Peruvians were very attentive to them and it seemed
to impact them. Again we went back to sports for the
rest of the time until we stopped for the Gospel presentation.
Many more decisions were made in the afternoon after
hearing the presentation and the Gospel through the
Evagecubes. When then had a American verses Peruvian
volleyball game which was exciting. There was a crowd
of over 100 standing around watching. Even after a
long afternoon the kids did not want us to leave!
We are working hard and getting tired but excited
for what the Lord is letting us be a part of here
in Peru!
Samual and Andrew for the team
March 8
The Lord blessed us with beautiful clear skies, which
was a nice change from the overcast the previous two
days. The morning was spent at Harvard Christian School.
It was tight quarters, but everyone enjoyed playing
volleyball, basketball and soccer. After testimonies
from Jason and Jenny, Jeff, Brent and Jenni Jessen
did the Mind, Body and Soul presentation for the kids.
The gospel was presented by the Peruvian team again
with a painting. Another Peruvian vs. American volleyball
game was played and unfortunately we were defeated.
The afternoon was in a park in Huancayo near the
church responsible for us being here in Huancayo.
Once again we had the opportunity to practice Spanigsh,
by promoting throughout the neighborhood to invite
families to our clinics. The turnout was very good
with about 100 people attending. It is still amazing
to us how receptive Peruvians people are to us. Many
hearts were opened to Christ, including one young
woman whose mother had been trying for years to help
her daughter understand the importance of receiving
Christ. She had been praying for someone to come and
reach her and help her understand - and it was US!!!!
What an awesome thought that we were the answer to
someone's prayers thousands of miles away!!
At night we went out in to a plaza where we were
trying to draw a crowd. SportReach intern, Brent,
put on an acrobatic display with juggling, tumbling
and walking upside down on 10 foot crutches. With
in 10 minutes there was a crowd of around 100. A national
then powerfully shared the gospel and many accepted
Christ.
We are all sunburned and tired, but sad that tomorrow
is our last day of clinics. It has been so awesome
to see God work!
Jenny and Kathy
For the Team
March 9
Our day really began when we arrived back at the
camp well after midnight from the street evangelism
last night. After we caught a few hours of much needed
sleep we jumped on the bus for our next destination.
It was refreshing to have a manageable group of about
75 kids and parents in our morning location. We had
a wonderful time playing and were able to end our
time there with a fun but powerful drama. Many team
members played roles in the drama, but ultimately
a Christian, nobly played by Jeff, freed our sinner,
Zach, from his pecado, (sin) by sharing the gospel
with him. Praise the Lord, many more first time decisions
were made.
After lunch we discovered that our afternoon agenda
had us in WAY over our heads. Truly, in our weakness,
God's strength is perfected. We went to the Lord in
prayer and He showed up in a powerful way. We were
to work with a NON-Christian private school that had
an enrollment of 800. That is spelled eight hundred!!
We arrived with much fear and trembling and an estimated
600 people had stayed to play with the gringos. This
is the single largest event that SportReach has had
the opportunity to minister in. Remember that we went
into this event with a staff of 20, including Scarlet
and Maverek and only 3 of our team could communicate
in Espanol. Fortunately, we were accompanied by 2
translators (yep, 2) and 2 other Peruvian counterparts
that spoke no English. But we had God in our corner.
We were surrounded in front, beside and behind by
unbelievers, praise God they weren't gettin' away
this time! Even though we were way out numbered, God
multiplied our team, our skills and our coordination.
Thanks to Him, we looked like a well oiled machine.
We witnessed miracle upon miracle this afternoon.
First, we were allowed to come into a secular school
and freely share the gospel. Second, the weather which
threatened our event turned into the most beautiful
afternoon we have experienced in Huancayo. Third,
at one point we had 5 different people, in 5 different
areas of the field preaching the gospel, and well
over 2/3 of the people accepted Christ.
We are in awe in this moment at what we have seen
and experienced and we have not even had dinner yet.
Awaiting us yet, is another opportunity for street
evangelism; another opportunity for God to show off.
Our goal this week is to finish faithful.
Praise the name of the One who is Worthy. Alabarle
el nombre de Uno quien es Digno.
Tara and Jenni for the team
March 10
Our last day in Huancayo was spent sightseeing in
the surrounding valley with our Peruvian friends who
had shown us such amazing hospitality and assistance
during our time here. We visited archeological sites
of the original Wanka people including a hike up 300
steps on a winding path to a magnificent view of the
entire valley, a triangular lake and snow topped mountains.
In this beautiful place it was easy to praise God
for his glorious creation. We visited a camp where
we rode horses and watched Peruvians making humitos
(a kind of cornbread baked in corn husks under hot
rocks).
Later when we toured the ancient ruins of a Wankan
temple built around springs where human sacrifices
and pagan worship had been practiced, one of our team
shared the gospel with the Peruvian tour guide and
we rejoiced that she understood and accepted Christ
in her heart.
We returned to the city of Huancayo and bought souvenirs
for our family at the Indian Market--a combination
of small booths with handmade crafts and tourist trinkets.
A woman at one of the stands asked about our group.
When we told her we were on a mission trip from the
United States she told us she was a Christian and
was excited about the many who had come to Christ
while we were there. We left her our Evangicube to
use as she shares the good news with others.
Supper was a time of fellowship with our team and
our Peruvian friends. We also celebrated two birthdays
- Andrew Walker and our Peruvian friend Max.
After supper we assembled around a bonfire to reflect
on our time in Peru. We have all been amazed at the
miracles we have witnessed this week. We've had 5
days of glorious sunshine during their rainy season.
We were able to communicate with people who did not
share our language. Many, many people heard the good
news of Jesus Christ and accepted him in their hearts.
None of this would have been possible without the
many prayers of those who have supported this effort
in Peru and in the United States. It has been an amazing
time when God showed up BIG and did marvelous things.
Lorre for the team
March 11
The team got up early and headed to the bus station.
The return to Lima over to Andes Mountains was a beautiful
sight. Upon arriving in Lima the team finished up
their shopping, saw sunset on the beach, fellowshipped
over dinner and then headed off to the airport.
In total we estimate the team shared the gospel with
around 1750 people this week. The images of so many
hands being raised accepting Christ was overwhelming.
The conservative estimate of those that made first
time decisions leaves us with 1410 new brothers and
sisters in Christ are now in Huancayo, Peru. Gracious
a Dios!
