COVID strikes again. As I write this letter, our area of Peru – Villa El Salvador, Lima is on extreme alert as the cases of COVID have sharply risen. Efata is in total lockdown again. That means that one person per family can go out for only one hour a day between the hours of 6am to 6pm. No use of personal vehicles is allowed without special permission and again, no services other than virtual.
Two families on the Efata compound recently contracted COVID-19 but have recovered well. I have been in the States for medical reasons which I will explain further below.
The tax issue with the city is ongoing but there has been very good progress as I mentioned in my previous letter. As of right now, we have paid down approximately $6,000.00 of the $20,000 bill. We have had several churches help with this and our own church in Peru, Efata Baptist Church was able to raise over $1000 for the initial payment. We continue to solicit the city to unfreeze our bank account. Pray that this happens soon. Please pray that we can raise the final $14,000 to pay this off. Once that is done, we will be able to maintain the new regular monthly payments with the provision of the Lord.
Until we were shut down again, we were still seeing people saved and baptized, having weddings, and baby dedications, and receiving new members into the church. Currently, my staff of National pastors and leaders are preaching, discipling and having Sunday School via Zoom or live stream.
Family News
Joel and Jessica had birthdays recently, with Joel turning fifteen and Jessica thirteen. It so wonderful to see our children grow. Joy has completed her High School and has applied to Baptist College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, to begin classes this fall. We are so proud of the wonderful young lady she has become. Jared is now in the Space Force and Judson is still overseas with the Marines. Joseph and James and their families are currently on deputation and Julianne and family are doing well in LaBelle, Florida. The kids at home—Joy, John, Joel, Jessica and Jennifer—are doing well.
I have been in the States for a few weeks being attended by the VA for some upper and lower back issues. After consultation with my Primary Care doctor, the VA has referred me to Community Care where I am currently being attended by a local surgeon. He has ordered five weeks of intense therapy, a lower back MRI and has referred me to another doctor for my shoulder pain. Due to this, I have decided to bring my family back to Fort Myers so Lisa can help me with this and the family can be together.
I will not be able to travel far from Fort Myers during this time as I will be in physical therapy two to three days a week. After the therapy, the surgeon will determine if I need surgery.
While I am here, I will be in constant contact working with my national leaders via Zoom meetings. I will also be filling in for the Pastor at LaBelle Baptist Temple for a few weeks as he has just undergone hip replacement surgery and will be out of the pulpit for several weeks. What a blessing to be able to return to the church where I was the assistant pastor before being called to missions and serve them in this way. I will also be filling in for another pastor in March for a week and visiting local supporters and reporting.
Blessings,
Bro. Joe & Lisa, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, and Jennifer
Como la mayoría de ustedes, seguimos lidiando con los efectos del COVID aquí en Perú. Nos ha afectado mucho en nuestras vidas y en el ministerio. Sin embargo, lo que jamás cambiará es el plan perfecto de Dios para los siglos, y podemos ver su mano obrando en todo.
Es indispensable agradecer al Señor por su cuidado y reconocer que Él tiene el control a pesar de lo que esté sucediendo. Esto nos fortalece espiritualmente. Deberíamos estar agradecidos a pesar de la política o la pandemia actual. Como enseña el versículo anterior, estemos agradecidos por la eterna misericordia y bondad de Dios.
Noticias del ministerio
Ya terminaron las clases. Este año nadie graduó de nuestra secundaria para sordos, pero se graduaron varios estudiantes oyentes en nuestro grupo de educación en casa en inglés, incluyendo a tres de nuestros hijos. Joy se graduó de la secundaria y Jessica y Joel de la primaria.
Desafortunadamente, debido a la pandemia, los problemas con el Ministerio de Educación de Perú y la reducción de estudiantes y maestros, estamos suspendiendo nuestra escuela para sordos después de 50 años de servicio aquí en Perú. Lo suspendemos esperando abrir nuevamente dentro de dos años si Dios permite. Primero, debemos esperar a las elecciones de este año e intentar conseguir una reunión con el nuevo Ministro de Educación y solicitarle que nos permita reabrir bajo un programa piloto especial para seguir enseñando con éxito a niños sordos.
Perú cambió a un programa de inclusión que mezcla a los sordos con oyentes pero sin los intérpretes y maestros calificados necesarios para el éxito. Por lo tanto, cerraron nuestra escuela secundaria y han querido cerrar también a nuestra primaria. Forman a una nueva generación de estudiantes sordos con una tasa de alfabetización trágicamente baja, todo en nombre de la inclusión y la autoestima: un sistema educativo no personalizado que ha fallado a los sordos. Ore que logremos defender a nuestra metodología y escuela. Esta colegio ha sido la puerta de acceso al Evangelio para miles de sordos aquí en Perú. El gobierno también cerró nuestro programa de orfanato/hogar, prohibiéndonos recibir a nuevos niños. Todavía tenemos seis niños y jóvenes sordos en nuestro cuidado.
En cuanto a la batalla con la ciudad por nuestra situación tributaria, hemos agotado todas las vías de apelación. Afortunadamente, el nuevo encargado de esta área ha sido de gran ayuda. La determinación final es que debemos pagar alrededor de $20,000 en impuestos atrasados (de lo que era $65,000) por la propiedad de la escuela y la iglesia. Comenzamos a pagarlo este mes y pudimos pagar alrededor de $3800.00, así que ahora debemos como $16,200.00. Nuestra iglesia en Perú está dando lo que puede, y estamos agradecidos al ver su compromiso, pero esto es más de lo que pueden financiar. Agradeceríamos cualquier ayuda en esta necesidad.
Cuando hicimos nuestro primer pago, la municipalidad lo recibió como un esfuerzo de buena fe y exoneraron los impuestos de 2012-2014, reduciendo la deuda en aproximadamente $1300.00. ¡Qué bendición y ayuda del Señor! Una vez que se liquide la deuda, nos mantendremos al día como lo hacíamos antes hasta que aumentaron exageradamente los impuestos sin la debida notificación o consideración.
En noviembre, organizamos la primera conferencia internacional virtual de bautistas sordos. Fue una gran bendición. Sordos de todo el mundo sintonizaron y hubo varios buenos resultados de la conferencia. Más de veinte líderes sordos y oyentes en el ministerio de sordos predicaron desde cuatro países diferentes.
Reanudamos servicios presenciales en noviembre. Aunque algunos de los más vulnerables todavía se quedan en casa, nuestros servicios al aire libre han sido bien asistidos. Tenemos la bendición de discipular a nuevos cristianos. Tuvimos un tremendo servicio de Navidad el 27, con la Cena del Señor y un belén en vivo, y tuvimos a 299 en asistencia.
Gracias a los que han enviado ofrendas para víveres. Ha sido una gran ayuda para el ministerio, y cientos fueron consolados y ayudados. Todavía estamos viendo frutos de esto en nuevos visitantes, decisiones de salvación y bautismos.
Noticias de la familia
La familia está bien. Como ya mencioné, Joy se graduó de la secundaria y se está preparando para el seminario en el otoño.
Regresaré a los EE.UU. en enero para recibir fisioterapia en mi zona lumbar y atención y análisis para mi problema de la columna superior, además de mi chequeo anual normal. Por favor, ore que los médicos sean sabios y que yo pueda obtener la ayuda que necesito de inmediato para regresar lo antes posible a Perú.
Oraciones y gracias
¡Muchas gracias a todas las iglesias y amigos que enviaron bendiciones navideñas! Estamos muy agradecidos por todos ustedes y su apoyo durante este año inolvidable.
Like most of you, we are still dealing with the effects of the COVID issues here in Peru. It has changed so much of our lives and ministries. However, one thing that cannot change is God’s perfect plan for the ages, which we are witnessing unfold before our very eyes.
It is vital for us to be thankful to the Lord for His care over us and recognize that He truly is in control no matter what is happening. This strengthens us spiritually. We should be thankful despite politics or pandemics of the day. As the verse above teaches, we must be thankful for God’s enduring mercies and goodness.
Ministry News
School is out now. We did not have any high school graduates from our Deaf school this year, but several hearing students in our English home school group graduated. This included three of our children. Joy graduated from high school, and Jessica and Joel from middle school.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, issues with the Peruvian Ministry of Education, and the reduction of students and teachers, we are suspending our deaf school after 50 years of service here in Peru. We are suspending in the hopes of reopening again within two years. This is not a given. First, we must wait for the elections this year and see if we can get a meeting with the new Minister of Education and convince him or her to allow us to reopen under a special pilot program that will allow us to continue to successfully teach deaf children.
Peru changed to an inclusion program that mixes the Deaf in with the hearing but without the qualified interpreters and teachers necessary for success. Thus, they closed our high school and have been moving to close our primary grades as well. They are creating a new generation of Deaf students with a tragically low literacy rate all in the name of inclusion and self-esteem – a one-size-fits-all education system that has failed the Deaf. Pray that we can be successful in advocating for our methodology and school. This school has been the gateway for the Gospel for thousands of Deaf here in Peru. The government also closed our orphanage/home program, forbidding us to take in new children. We still have six deaf children and young adults for whom we are caring.
Regarding the battle with the city over our tax situation, we have exhausted all avenues of appeal. Fortunately, the new person in charge of this area has been extremely helpful. The final determination is that we need to pay about $20,000 in back taxes (down from $65,000) for the school and church property. We began to pay this down this month and were able to pay about $3800.00, so we now owe about $16,200.00. Our people in the church are giving what they can, and we are thankful that they are stepping up, but this is not in their power to pay off. We would be grateful for any assistance in this need.
When we made our first payment, they saw that as a good faith effort and exonerated the 2012-2014 taxes which lowered the debt by about $1300.00. What a blessing and help from the Lord! Once the tax debt is cleared, we will keep things current as we had been doing until they wildly increased the taxes without proper notification or consideration.
In November, we hosted the first International Baptist Deaf video conference. It was a great blessing, Deaf from all over the world tuned in and there were several good results from the meeting. Around twenty Deaf and hearing leaders in Deaf ministry preached from four different countries.
Services opened up again in November. Although some who are at higher risk are still staying home, our outdoor services have been full. We are so blessed to have new Christians being discipled. We had a tremendous Christmas service the 27th with the Lord’s Supper as well as a live nativity scene. We had 299 present.
Thank you to those who have sent offerings for food provisions. This has been a great ministry help and hundreds were comforted and helped. We are still seeing fruit from this in new visitors, salvation decisions and baptisms.
Family News
The family is well. As I mentioned before, Joy graduated from high school and is preparing for college in the Fall.
I will be returning to the States in January for physical therapy for my lower back and further care and analysis for my upper spine issue, as well as my normal yearly check-up at the VA. Please pray the doctors have wisdom and I can get the help I need right away in order to get back as soon as possible to Peru.
Prayers and Thanks
Thank you so much to all the churches and friends who sent Christmas blessings! We are so thankful for all of you and your support during this unforgettable year.
3Y estando él sentado en el monte de los Olivos, los discípulos se le acercaron aparte, diciendo: Dinos, ¿cuándo serán estas cosas, y qué señal habrá de tu venida, y del fin del siglo? 4Respondiendo Jesús, les dijo: Mirad que nadie os engañe. 5Porque vendrán muchos en mi nombre, diciendo: Yo soy el Cristo; y a muchos engañarán. 6Y oiréis de guerras y rumores de guerras; mirad que no os turbéis, porque es necesario que todo esto acontezca; pero aún no es el fin. 7Porque se levantará nación contra nación, y reino contra reino; y habrá pestes, y hambres, y terremotos en diferentes lugares. 8Y todo esto será principio de dolores…
Qué época tan interesante en la que vivimos. Nunca en mi vida había visto tantos eventos característicos del fin de los tiempos: pestilencias como las langostas en Asia, desastres naturales exponencialmente más peligrosos (incendios, huracanes, tornados, tormentas de tierra de sesenta kilómetros de ancho como el “Derecho” en Iowa, terremotos en lugares inusuales, erupciones volcánicas) pandemias, guerras y rumores de guerras, muchos falsos Cristos y profetas (solo tienes que abrir YouTube), lo correcto vuelto incorrecto y lo incorrecto vuelto correcto, niños contra sus padres, padres irresponsables, amor enfriándose, etc. Todo se concentra en este momento de la historia.
Solo recuerde las palabras anteriores, “mirad que no os turbéis, porque es necesario que todo esto acontezca; pero aún no es el fin.” No sabemos cuándo vendrá Jesús, así que todo lo que puedo decir mientras espero la “Bendita Esperanza” es: “¡Sí, ven, Señor Jesús!” Hasta entonces, nos ocuparemos de los asuntos de nuestro Maestro.
No dejaremos que las circunstancias nos desanimen. La persecución, ya presente en gran parte del mundo, se avecina. Esto también debe suceder. Sin embargo, tenemos la promesa del Salvador:
35¿Quién nos separará del amor de Cristo? ¿Tribulación, o angustia, o persecución, o hambre, o desnudez, o peligro, o espada? 36Como está escrito: Por causa de ti somos muertos todo el tiempo; Somos contados como ovejas de matadero. 37Antes, en todas estas cosas somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó.
—Romanos 8:35-37
Noticias del ministerio
No ha cambiado mucho aquí desde nuestra última carta de oración con respecto a las restricciones a las reuniones. Hubo cierto alivio, pero luego el gobierno volvió a tomar medidas drásticas cuando el número de nuevos casos de COVID-19 comenzó a aumentar. Han vuelto a imponer la inmovilización social los domingos, cuando nadie puede salir excepto con un permiso especial. Los viajes internacionales siguen restringidos por el gobierno y los servicios públicos son limitados. Varios pastores han muerto por la pandemia. Uno, Luis Navarro, tenía solo cuarenta y dos años. Él era un amigo. Varios miembros de nuestra iglesia han perdido a seres queridos.
Predicando en Línea para los Sordos y Oyentes
Continuamos ministrando en las redes sociales para todos nuestros servicios, reuniones y programas para adolescentes y niños. También seguimos distribuyendo alimentos a muchos necesitados. Almas siguen siendo salvadas a pesar de las restricciones. Oren por el crecimiento de los nuevos cristianos.
No se permitirán reuniones presenciales este año. Las escuelas también continuarán enseñando en línea hasta el próximo año. Esta es una situación horrible para los estudiantes de Perú, especialmente para los Sordos y los niños con necesidades especiales. Nuestros maestros continúan su gran labor de enseñanza para aquellos que tienen acceso a Internet.
Noticias de la familia
Como sabe por nuestra última carta, varios dimos positivo por COVID. Lisa fue la más afectada, con dolores de cabeza, problemas respiratorios, y dolor y malestar en el pecho. Parece que el resto de nosotros tuvimos casos asintomáticos si nuestras pruebas fueron precisas, aunque tengo mis dudas al respecto. La bendición es que todos estamos bien ahora. Lisa está muy bien y ninguno de nosotros tenemos problemas residuales o efectos secundarios. Lo mismo ocurre con nuestro hijo Joseph, que trabaja con nosotros aquí.
Joseph y Zulema esperan su tercer hijo. Debido a que el suyo es un embarazo de alto riesgo, tienen una cesárea programada para el 8 de septiembre. Esperamos su pequeña incorporación a la familia. Oren por ellos para que todo salga bien. También estén en oración por Julianne, nuestra hija que vive en Florida, que espera su quinto hijo a fines de septiembre o principios de octubre. Cuando nazcan estos dos hijos, Lisa y yo tendremos diez nietos. ¡Que alegría!
James, Ann y sus dos pequeños están bien. Dios fue muy misericordioso con ellos con su presencia durante este tiempo de pruebas. Un embarazo complicado con hospitalización prolongada terminó con el nacimiento prematuro del pequeño Jimmy, que requirió que permaneciera hospitalizado durante unos dos meses. Algunas iglesias también cancelaron debido al COVID. Oren que Dios vuelva a llenar su agenda y que continúe protegiendo, proveyendo y guiando a su preciosa familia en este tiempo de diputación.
Nuestro Marine, Judson, fue ascendido recientemente; ahora es cabo. Judson acaba de completar el entrenamiento de seguridad de la embajada y está esperando su primer puesto en el extranjero. A Jared le está yendo muy bien en las Fuerzas Aéreas en Florida.
Oraciones y agradecimiento
Recibimos saludos de muchos de ustedes quienes escribieron y llamaron para preguntarnos como estamos nosotros y como está el ministerio aquí en Perú en estos meses de locura. Gracias a todos los que nos recuerdan en sus oraciones y nos apoyan en nuestro trabajo.
Bendiciones,
Hno. Joe y Lisa, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, y Jennifer
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows…
What an interesting time we live in. I have never seen such a unity of end-times events in my life–pestilences such as locusts in Asia, exponentially more dangerous natural disasters (fires raging, hurricanes, tornados, forty-mile-wide land storms such as “Derecho” in Iowa, earthquakes in unusual places, volcanic eruptions) pandemics, wars and rumors of wars, many false Christs and prophets (just peruse YouTube), right turned to wrong and wrong turned to right, children against their parents, irresponsible parents, love waxing cold, etc. All these are converging at this point in history.
Just remember the words above, “be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” We do not know when Jesus is coming, so all I can say as I look forward to the “Blessed Hope” is, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” Until then, we will be busy about our Master’s business.
We will not let the circumstances of life around us discourage us. Persecution, already present in a large part of the world, is coming our way. This too must come to pass. Regardless, we have this promise from our Savior:
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
—Romans 8:35-37
Ministry News
Not much has changed here since our last prayer letter regarding the restrictions on gatherings. There was some relief, but then the government clamped down again when the number of new cases of COVID-19 began to rise. They have imposed martial law restrictions again on Sundays, when no one can be out except with special permission. International travel continues to be restricted by the government, and public services are limited. Several pastors have died because of the pandemic. One, Luis Navarro, was only forty-two years old. He was a friend. Several members of our church have experienced losses of loved ones.
Preaching Online for the Deaf and Hearing
We continue to minister through social media for all our services, Sunday school meetings, and programs for teens and children. We also continue to distribute food to many in need. We are seeing souls saved despite all the restrictions. Pray for these new Christians as they grow.
No in-person meetings will be permitted this year. Schools will continue to teach online until next year as well. This is a horrible situation for students and especially for the Deaf and children with special needs. Our teachers continue to work hard to teach those who have access to the internet.
Family News
As you know from our last letter, several of us tested positive for COVID. Lisa was the hardest affected, with headaches, breathing issues, pain, and discomfort in her chest. The rest of us appear to have been asymptomatic if our tests were accurate, although I have my doubts about that. The blessing is that all of us are well now. Lisa is doing great, and none of us have any residual issues or side effects. The same goes for our son Joseph, who works with us here.
Joseph and Zulema are expecting their third child. Because theirs is a high-risk pregnancy, they have a C-section scheduled for September 8th. We are looking forward to their little addition to the family. Please pray for them that everything will go smoothly. Also be in prayer for Julianne, our daughter who lives in Florida, who is expecting her fifth child in late September or early October. When these two children are born, Lisa and I will have ten grandchildren. What a joy!
James and Ann and their two little ones are doing well. God was very gracious to them with His presence during this time of trials. A complicated pregnancy with extended hospitalization ended in little Jimmy’s premature birth, requiring him to be hospitalized for about two months. Some churches canceled as well due to COVID restrictions. Please pray for God to fill their schedule again and for God’s continued protection, provision, and guidance for their precious family on the deputation road.
Our Marine, Judson, was recently promoted. He is now a corporal, having just completed Embassy Security training, and is waiting for his first deployment overseas. Jared is doing great in the Air Force in Florida.
Prayers and Thanks
We have enjoyed hearing from many of you as you have written and called to inquire about our well-being and the well-being of the ministry here in Peru during these crazy months. Thank you to all of you who remember us in your prayers and who support us in our work.
Blessings,
Bro. Joe & Lisa Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, and Jennifer
