In my first two
months as pastor of the Iglesia Cristiana Bautista in San Sebastian, I baptized
two teenagers, preached a funeral, was the expositor at an evangelistic meeting
in a church plant born from the church we serve in, and have begun a
pre-marriage counseling class (for a couple whom I will be marrying next
month!). Incredible how God just gives
you the ability when you need it! Certainly God girded me with strength for the
battle (Psalm 18:32). Casandra and I
were just talking the other day, and it is so clear to both of us that God has
brought us to serve in this church “for such a time as this”.
Here´s
just a brief timeline of some highlights from these past months:
Dec. 22 Joshua’s K-5
graduation (on the Peruvian schedule)
Dec. 29 I was installed as Pastor.
 |
| Q & A with the Ordination Counsel |
January
God
provided 2 moving trucks for us to get down to Cusco and a 3-bedroom house for
us to live in.
Two teens were baptized! Pray
for Brian and Merlin and their spiritual growth.
 |
| Merlin and Bryan |
February
We had a 5-day
Vacation Bible School in our church where 21 children learned how Moses´ life
and ministry parallel salvation.
I began preaching
a series from Philippians and James. One of the young men is preaching on Sun.
PM from Malachi.
Casandra took
over the monthly ladies meetings and continues to employ her amazing gifts of
teaching and baking to bless others.
We found out that Casandra was four months pregnant!
We used the same
Moses series to hold another 5-day VBS in the town of Saylla where 32+ kids
showed up with amazing enthusiasm to learn!
 |
| VBS in Saylla |
March
Baby Gabriela turned ONE!
Our church plant
in Saylla had its 4 year anniversary. We
had an evangelistic campaign in the church plant born from our church, where
they showed the movie “Fireproof” and I preached from Romans 5:8. Near this area of Cusco (Saylla) witch
doctors have been known to have regular conferences. We pray the Lord will bring forth the fruit.
Sunday school
classes began anew in San Sebastian with some new teachers. I am co-teaching adults and young people with
another young man as we study the Gospel of John.
Discipleship Part
I began with about 15 (among men and women) excited to learn more of the Word
and grow in their spiritual lives.
The seminary in
Urubamba (where we used to live) just had its opening service to begin a new
academic year. I will be teaching two classes (Doctrines 2 during the first 3
wk of Apr. and Spanish Grammar in October. Also a former professor of mine,
Arthur Raske, will be accompanying us in Aug/Sept teaching a class on Genesis
and giving several mini-conferences in churches on the weekends.)
On the 21st
and 22nd of this month our church will be having its first missions
conference! We have two missionary families lined up to be with us and we WILL
be taking them both on for support. For
how much remains to be seen.
I just can't express enough the incredible Peace that God
has given us that passes all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus as we continue to serve here and invest our lives in the brethren. Thank you so much for your prayers and
continued financial support! God truly
is blessing His church here through you.
 |
| Birthday girl! |
Blessings:
·
Francisca (mother of one of our members)
recently trusted Christ through a hospital visit.
·
Isaac (son of one of our members) recently
trusted Christ after an evening service.
·
Two young people are interested in Baptism.
·
We are able to see the same doctor who delivered
Gabriela with this new pregnancy.
Requests:
·
Safe pregnancy—this one has been fairly
unpleasant for Casandra as she has dealt with an uncommon amount of nausea/vomiting
and discomfort especially this last month.
·
As the amount of “Pardines in Peru” grows, we
contemplate more often the possibility of purchasing a vehicle.
·
We will be in the States from May 4-16 to
support my younger brother Jeff as he marries on the 10th, and also
to visit with family. Pray for traveling safety.
·
For the ministries of the church in San
Sebastian, the church plant in Saylla, and the Seminary in Urubamba. Three different locations where God is at
work! Pray that we would a help and not
a hindrance to His plan.
Eric and Casandra, Joshua, Steven, Gabriela, and baby
Pardine
“Teaching others also” 2 Timothy 2:2
