Talk about hitting the ground running!

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 21^st and 22^nd 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 10^th, 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