CT News & Pics September 2022

September 2022

Dear praying family!

Our complete report is in our pictures. Please see them here! 

Thank you for remembering us in your loving prayers as we made our jungle trip to Solterito! Nearly half of September was committed to that cause. What a profitable and encouraging trip that was. As we had informed you in our last update, 8 of us that included two doctors, two engineers, a surveyor, the Elliot school administrator, and a lawyer, were eager to go and encourage the believers there. With a team like that, we were looking forward to a multifaceted ministry, and that it was. Our presence impacted 2 other neighboring communities and we ended up interacting with many more people than we had anticipated. Please go and see an almost play-by-play report of this trip in our pictures!

Another heartfelt event in our ministry this past September was the adoption of another child from Hogar de Esperanza. On Wednesday, September 21st we went to the orphanage for Cristian’s goodbye party. His adoption was completely finalized that morning and this was everyone’s chance to give final words of wisdom, love, and encouragement to Cristian and his new parents. Christian came to the orphanage in 2015 with his 3 siblings. We were told they would be ‘adoptable’ within a year. The year came and went and by the time they became legally adoptable his older siblings, Carlos and Celeste, had grown up to be teenagers and his younger brother, Dani, still had many health challenges. Eventually, a decision was made to separate the sibling group so that Cristian could have a chance to be adopted. Although many people had been working with the siblings leading up to this day, we felt very tense about this moment. We didn’t know much about the adoptive parents, but we did know that this group of siblings, who we care deeply about, would be split up. Once everyone started to gather in the dining hall, we greeted all the children (and workers) with hugs, kisses, and even some tickles. When we got to Celeste we hugged long as tears welled up in her eyes and ours. We all sat down as Cristian came in with his parents. He immediately went and sat next to his brother, Carlos. Carlos put his arm around him and they started chatting. The staff had to encourage Cristian to go sit in the honored seats with his mother and father. One by one, each worker took his/her turn to share in the joy of the moment, congratulating the parents and encouraging Cristian to continue to look to Jesus as he had been taught. Tears kept welling up in our eyes. When all had finished, the director asked the parents if they would like to say a few words. And that is when, instead of tears, a smile filled our faces and hearts. They did not have to speak through a translator, since they are Peruvian, which allowed them to share more freely and openly. And what they spoke of was God and how good He is. They shared how God had guided them each step of the adoption process and how He so beautifully led them to Cristian. They shared their appreciation and gratitude to Hogar de Esperanza and each of the workers who show the love of Christ to each of the children day in and day out. They shared about the church they attend in Lima and the opportunities Cristian will have to grow and be involved there. They encouraged each of the children to not lose hope, that God has a plan for each of their lives. And they said that they plan to return at Christmas time, Lord willing, to visit. Wow! Not everyone who adopts our children are Christians, but what peace fills our hearts when we know that our children are going to become part of a Christian family. Our concern about the siblings being separated was calmed greatly when we saw God’s hand and how He had been working all along. Cristian’s parents were so kind to all the children and especially to Celeste and Carlos who they invited out to dinner with them after the party. We are thankful that they desire to stay in contact with them. Please pray for Christian as he continues to adapt and transition and for his parents. Please also pray for Carlos and Celeste, and for the rest of the children who have a renewed longing for a family of their own each time they see one of their friends get adopted.

Prayer & Praise

-         We celebrated the Lord’s goodness for the Elliot School’s 27th anniversary. We look forward to promoting a new graduating class this December (19 students).

-         Praise the Lord that Pablo’s 10-day hiccup after his jungle trip was not a sign of something more severe (it had been a little over a year since his colon operation). He needed an endoscopy done and is still taking lots of medicine but is now fully able to speak and do his responsibilities.

-         We give thanks to the Lord for having regained our accredited status at Hogar de Esperanza. This seemed like an impossible task as requirements are nearly impossible to meet, or at least it seemed like that in the past.  

-         Continue to pray for our daughter Abi at college in PA. She’s still dealing with the sequel from her concussion early in the summer. She continues to persevere in her studies and keeps very active with the staff leading the International Student Fellowship there.

-         Keep praying for Jared and Claudia’s baby Joshua. A mysterious infection led him to the emergency room. He’s been at the hospital being treated for the last two weeks. These have been very trying times for these saints.

-         As we hinted in our last update, three new couples have gotten engaged in the assembly in September. Please pray for a God honoring relationship till their wedding day and beyond (all 3 planned for next year).

-         Thank the Lord with us for our youngest daughter Selah. She turned 13 on September 18th.

Coming up

Oct 8, sharing at a teen retreat. Pray for good connection. (AM).

Oct 8, sharing with a group of singles on John 8. (PM).

Oct 9, Centro Biblico Trujillo celebrates its 33rd anniversary. In the morning we will have 2 baptisms (one of the youths from Hogar de Esperanza, and the other, one of the ladies faithfully attending our home bible study). At night we will have a celebration meal where Pablo will be speaking.

Oct 14-16, teaching trip to Tambogrande to share with a group of churches in that region (northern mountains).

Oct 18, Hogar de Esperanza celebrates its 21st anniversary. We are making an out large invitation to the entire assembly to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness together. The program will be held at Centro Biblico Trujillo.

Oct 23, speaking on the story of the Prodigal Son.

 

Much love in Him,

 

 

Pablo & Sarah CT