Dec 6, 2018 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
It has been an incredible time of traveling and reporting to most of our wonderful friends and partners in ministry. Everyone has been gracious, generous and supportive of the ministry God has blessed us with. We had the privilege of being in many wonderful new churches as well during this time. We are praying that many will be able to directly partner with us and the work we are doing in Peru among the Deaf and hearing.
After one year in the States, we flew back to Peru on November 15th. It’s good to be home. Our kids are overjoyed to be back, and we are settling back into the ministry and preparing for what the Lord has in store for us in the months and years ahead. We have been so blessed to see eight souls saved these weeks we have been back.
James and Ann have settled in for their six-month mission work at Efata. Thank you to those who have responded to our appeal to help them for this short-term mission work prior to them going on full-time deputation to raise their support to return permanently. Please keep Ann in prayer for her health and pregnancy. It has been a tremendous blessing to Efata to have them here.
Juan Zevallos and his family at Efata for Family Day
The work in Peru is going strong. They had 350 people in Efata for Family Day in October. Six souls were saved and 3 baptized during this time.
We do have a few major prayer requests for you to pray about:
First, the local city hall has assessed a large tax on Efata that is retroactive to 2012. They say we owe 144,500 Soles, which equates to approx. $44,000. Of course, we do not have that kind of money and are applying for an exemption. We have already been exempted from the property taxes, but these are service taxes that we used to pay at a rate of $3 a year. The government has changed, and we are not against paying our fair share, but this is a retroactive commercial rate that is going back and covering years that were already payed. It is a long and complicated story. Please pray for the “king’s heart”, that God will turn it in our favor.
Second, please pray for the continued advancement of the work in Chancay. This month we were able to have a wall built around the property and more contacts have been made. Please pray for God to raise up this work.
Third, please pray for our mission in Pucallpa. Missionary Henry Vasquez, who is overseeing that work, will be moving to Lima this month due to his wife’s heart problems. They will work with us in the new Chancay church plant. The ministry in Pucallpa has been very difficult, and we are selling the property that we have there with the intent of buying property further out of town where the population is headed and moving the work there to reach more people. We already have Bible studies in these areas. We have not been able to sell the property and now we need a new national missionary/pastor to take the work over and carry it through its transition. Pray for God’s wisdom and leading in all of this as well.
Thank you once again to every church, family member and friend who has hosted us and cared for us during this special time of reacquainting with our friends and supporters. A special thanks to all the new friends and churches we have met along the way. It is wonderful to know that mission work is still the heartbeat of many as it is still the heartbeat of God!
Joe & Lisa. Children: Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Aug 18, 2018 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Queridos amigos y familia,
Quiero tomar este tiempo para agradecerles una vez más a todos ustedes por su maravilloso cuidado y apoyo de nuestra familia como sus representantes en Perú, Sudamérica y más allá, alcanzando a sordos y oyentes.
Seguimos en nuestro viaje de diputación, visitando a las iglesias y a los amigos que nos apoyan y también a varias iglesias nuevas, conociendo nuevos amigos por todo el país. Durante este tiempo hemos recibido aliento y bendición en cada reencuentro.
Ya conseguimos nuestros boletos de regreso a Peru para el 15 de noviembre, y nos espera mucho trabajo allá. Estamos agradecidos al Señor por el maravilloso equipo y personal que nos ha dado, quienes mantienen la labor del ministerio en nuestra ausencia.
Déjame presentarles una oportunidad muy especial para ser de aún más bendición y ayuda a la obra en Perú. Como muchos saben, mi hijo James y su nueva esposa Ann están levantando apoyo para venir a Perú como misioneros. Están planeando un viaje misionero de seis meses para trabajar en el campo, permitir a Ann conocer a la cultura, las lenguas y la gente peruana, y preparar para su mudanza a Perú después de la diputación. Tienen pasajes para viajar al Perú el 2 de octubre del 2018.
Me gustaría pedirles personalmente a todos ustedes una ayuda por James y Ann, ya sea con una ofrenda de amor para ayudarles con los gastos de este viaje misionero de seis meses, o si pudieran incluso empezar a apoyarles mensualmente ya sea para seis meses o permanentemente.
James creció en Perú y ahora está regresando como misionero con su nueva familia. También está esperando a su primer hijo en febrero. Muchos de ustedes se acordarán de James desde que les visitamos en el pasado. James tiene ahora una maestría en misiones, una maravillosa esposa hija de misioneros, y un fuerte testimonio enfocado en las misiones. Por varios años, ha ayudado a enseñar a jóvenes seminaristas en un campamento de misiones.
James tiene fluidez en castellano peruano y en la lengua de señas peruana, y antes de ir al seminario era un líder activo en nuestro ministerio y está completamente informado sobre la cultura peruana. Su esposa, Ann nació y creció en Japón y no es ajena a las misiones. Ella ha tenido un amor por los sordos y un gran deseo de venir a Perú, incluso antes de su cortejo y matrimonio con James.
Cuando regresan de este viaje, esperamos que puedan juntar rápidamente el apoyo que necesitarán para volver y continuar el trabajo a la cual Dios les ha llamado.
Muchas gracias por su consideración para James y para toda la obra misionera de los Ministerios Efata y la Familia Kotvas, y por su apoyo fiel. James será de mucha bendición en la evangelización y el sembrado de nuevas iglesias y ministerios. A continuación está la información de contacto de James por si usted desea comunicarse con él para obtener más información. Tenga la libertad de llamarme también – 813-406-2838.
jameskotvas@gmail.com 303-718-2801 www.kotvastoperu.com
Nuestra familia está muy bien. Los niños están recibiendo una gran educación visitando varios monumentos y ubicaciones nacionales (D.C., Filadelfia, Mount Rushmore, Estatua de la libertad, Gateway Arch San Luis, etc.) así como diversas áreas of Estados Unidos y Canadá. ¡Dios ha usado a su pueblo para ser una bendición tremenda para nosotros a lo largo del camino!!! Gracias a todos.
Joe y Lisa
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Aug 18, 2018 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
I would like to take this time to thank all of you once again for your wonderful care and support for our family as your representatives in Peru, South America and Beyond, reaching both the Deaf and hearing.
We are continuing our furlough, visiting our supporting churches and friends and visiting several new churches and meeting new friends as we travel across the country. During this time, we have been encouraged and blessed as we have reacquainted with you.
We have our return tickets to Peru for November 15th and have a great deal of work waiting for us. We are grateful to the Lord for the wonderful staff and ministry partners he has given us that keep the ministry going in our absence.
Let me present to you a very special opportunity to be a further blessing and help to the work in Peru. As many of you know, my son James and his new wife Ann are on deputation to come to Peru as missionaries. They are planning a six-month mission trip, working on the field, allowing Ann to get to know the culture, languages and people of Peru, and helping them prepare for their move to Peru after deputation. They have their tickets to Peru for the 2nd of October 2018.
I would like to personally ask all of you if you would help James and Ann with either a one-time love offering to help them with the expenses of the six-month mission trip or if possible, if you could even begin supporting them as missionaries to Peru on a monthly basis either for this six-month trip or permanently.
James grew up in Peru and now he is returning as a missionary with his new family. He is also expecting his first child in February. Many of you know or remember James from when we visited with you in the past. James now has a master’s degree in missions, a wonderful MK wife and a strong missions-focused testimony. He has helped teach at mission’s camp for the last several years to mission-minded college students.
James is fluent in Peruvian Spanish and Peruvian Sign Language and before he went to college was an active leader in our ministry and is completely knowledgeable regarding Peruvian culture. His wife, Ann was born and raised in Japan and is no stranger to missions. She has had a love for the Deaf and a long-held desire to come to Peru, even before her courtship and marriage to James.
When they return from this trip, we are hoping they will be able to raise their needed support quickly, so they can return and continue the work that God has called them to do.
Thank you so much for your consideration for James and the overall mission work of Efata Ministries and the Kotvas family which you have been faithfully supporting. He is going to be a tremendous asset in our outreach and church planting ministries. Below is James’ contact information if you would like to reach out to him for further information. Feel free to call me as well – 813-406-2838.
jameskotvas@gmail.com 303-718-2801 www.kotvastoperu.com
The Family is doing great. The kids are getting a great education visiting various national monuments and locations (D.C., Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch St. Luis, etc.) as well as different areas of the US and Canada. God has used His people to be a tremendous blessing to us all along the way!!! Thank you to all.
Joe & Lisa
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Jun 25, 2018 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Queridos amigos y familia,
Bendito el Señor; cada día nos colma de beneficios
El Dios de nuestra salvación. Selah Salmo 68:19
Estos meses han sido de los más maravillosos para nosotros en el ministerio y en la familia. Dios es grandioso, y sí nos colma cada día de beneficios. Incluso cuando los tiempos son estresantes y difíciles, Dios es bueno.
Noticias del ministerio
Viaje en los Estados Unidos:
Nuestro viaje va bien. Estamos muy bendecidos de tener una maravillosa familia de iglesias que nos apoyan. Ha sido un gran gozo pasar tiempo con cada uno de ustedes a los cuales que hemos tenido el privilegio de visitar. Nuestro horario está casi lleno.
A nuestras iglesias que no hemos podido contactar o visitar, los amamos y les estamos agradecidos. Esperamos verlos en el futuro. Pastor, nos encantaría comunicarnos con usted por teléfono. Nuestro número es 813-406-2838 y mi dirección de correo electrónico es jkotvas@efata.org.
Noticias del campo:
El 20 de mayo, la Iglesia Bautista Efata celebró su 41° aniversario. Fue un gran gozo para Lisa y yo volar a Perú para el aniversario y también para una conferencia hispana de La Espada con el evangelista Daniel Garlick y Joel Marsh de la Iglesia Bautista Redención en Tampa, FL. Hubo varios salvados y 43 personas se acercaron entregando sus vidas para servir a Dios – 34 de Efata, 6 de nuestra misión en Tablada y 3 de las iglesias de nuestros buenos amigos con el Equipo Perú.
Uno de los honores más emocionantes que tuvimos fue ordenar a uno de nuestros graduados sordos del seminario bíblico al ministerio del evangelio. Hno. Frank Chavez ha estado trabajando con nosotros mientras estudiaba. Se graduó en diciembre. Se casó el octubre pasado y espera su primer hijo. Él es el segundo hombre sordo calificado que hemos ordenado en 18 años. El primer hombre sordo que ordenamos fue Jorge Pozo, en 2000. Hno. Jorge, misionero para Sordos en Huancayo, estuvo presente y participó en este maravilloso consejo y servicio de ordenación. Él es un ejemplo fiel para que Frank lo siga.
Durante nuestro tiempo en Perú, un joven llamado Marcos, uno de nuestros estudiantes sordos en la escuela, nos acercó y pidió perdón por su actitud rebelde, y me dijo que quiere ser un predicador del Evangelio. Por favor, oren por él para que permita que Dios trabaje en su vida para hacer que su voluntad sea clara, y que se mantenga sin mancha del mundo.
Continuamos avanzando con la compra y posesión de los terrenos en Chancay. Oremos para que podamos recaudar los fondos adicionales necesarios para comprar terrenos adicionales y asegurar la propiedad. A medida que nos acerquemos a la necesidad, les escribiré más sobre eso. Actualmente, uno de nuestros pastores asistentes está yendo allí de tres a cuatro días a la semana y trabajando con la gente del barrio, preparando el campo espiritualmente para la nueva iglesia.
Noticias familiares
Lisa y yo celebramos nuestro 30º aniversario de bodas el 20 de mayo también. Estaba agradecido de que ella pudiera viajar conmigo, y así no estar separados el uno del otro durante este tiempo especial. Joseph pudo hacer esto posible cuando la visa llegó para su esposa Zulema y pudieron venir a los Estados Unidos para la boda de James. Ellos pudieron quedarse con los niños mientras estábamos fuera.
Estamos emocionados de anunciar una nueva HIJA para la familia Kotvas; Ann Smith y James se casaron en una hermosa ceremonia en Falls Baptist Church en Menominee Falls, Wisconsin. Ann es una maravillosa señorita, nacida en Japón a los misioneros Randy y JoAnne Smith que han servido en Japón durante 30 años.
Después de su luna de miel, empezaron a trabajar tiempo completo levantando apoyo como misioneros a Perú y más allá. Estamos muy emocionados de tenerlos como parte de nuestro equipo misionero. Trabajarán en Efata y tendrán un ministerio único también para tribus no alcanzados en el interior de Perú y otros países.
Jared (Fuerza Aérea) y Judson (Marine Corps.) están bien, sirviendo en sus respectivos servicios. Hemos tenido varias oportunidades para pasar tiempo con cada uno de ellos cuando estamos cerca y especialmente durante la boda. Qué bendición tuvimos en el día de la madre y también en la boda ver a todos nuestros hijos, nietos y padres juntos por la primera vez.
Seguimos viajando kilometro tras kilómetro, reportando a nuestras iglesias. Los niños están muy bien. ¡No estoy seguro de que papá sea tan paciente como ellos! ¡Sonríe…!
Gracias a cada iglesia e individuo que nos ha ayudado a lo largo de nuestro camino al visitar a nuestros maravillosos amigos y familia de apoyo misionero. También disfrutamos mucho conocer a tantas iglesias y amigos nuevos. Gracias por permitirnos el privilegio de acompañarles.
Joe & Lisa
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Jun 6, 2018 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Psalm 68:19
These have been some of the most fantastic months for us in our ministry and family. God is great and does daily load us with benefits. Even when times are stressful and difficult, God is good.
Ministry News
Stateside furlough
Our furlough is going well. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family of supporting churches. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with each of you we have had the privilege to visit. Our schedule is almost completely full.
To our churches that we have not been able to contact or visit, we love you and are grateful for you. We look forward to seeing you in the future. Pastor, we would be happy to connect with you by phone. Our number is 813-406-2838 and my e-mail address is jkotvas@efata.org.
Field-side news:
On May 20th Efata Baptist Church celebrated its 41st anniversary. It was a great joy for Lisa and I to be able to fly down for the Anniversary and also for a Spanish La Espada (The Sword) Conference with Evangelist Daniel Garlick and Joel Marsh from Redemption Baptist Church in Tampa, FL. There were several saved and 43 people came forward surrendering their lives to serve God, 34 From Efata, 6 From our mission in Tablada and 3 From our good friends’ churches with Team Peru.
One of the most exciting honors we had was to ordain one of our Deaf Bible College Graduates to the Gospel Ministry. Bro. Frank Chavez has been working with us as he was studying. He graduated in December with his Bachelor’s Degree. He was married last October and is expecting his first child. He is the first qualified Deaf man we have ordained in 17 years. Our first Deaf man that we ordained in 2000, Jorge Pozo, Missionary to the Deaf in Huancayo, was present and participated in this wonderful ordination counsel and service. He is a faithful example for Frank to follow.
During our time in Peru, a young man named Marcos, one of our deaf students in the school, came to us and asked for forgiveness for his rebellious attitude and told me that he wanted to be a preacher of the Gospel. Please pray for him that he will allow God to work in his life to make His will clear and plain and that he will keep himself unspotted from the world.
We continue to move forward with our purchase and securing of land in Chancay. Please pray that we will be able to raise the additional funds needed to purchase additional land and to secure the property. As we get closer to the need, I will write to you more about that. Currently, one of our assistant pastors is going there three to four days a week and working with the people that live in the area and preparing the ground work spiritually for the church plant.
Family News
Lisa and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on the 20th of May as well. I was thankful she was able to travel with me, so we would not be separated from each other during this special time. Joseph was able to make this possible when the Visa came through for his wife Zulema and they were able to come to the States for James’ wedding. They were able to stay with the children while we were away.
We are excited to announce the addition of a new DAUGHTER to the Kotvas family! Ann (formerly) Smith and James were married in a beautiful ceremony at Falls Baptist Church in Menominee Falls, WI. She is a wonderful MK born in Japan to missionaries Randy and JoAnne Smith who have been serving in Japan for 30 years.
After their honeymoon, they will begin full-time deputation as missionaries to Peru and beyond. We are so excited to have them join our mission team. They will work at Efata and have a unique ministry as well to unreached people groups in interior regions of Peru and other countries.
Jared (Air Force) & Judson (Marine Corps.) are doing well as they serve in their respective services. We have had several opportunities to spend time with each of them when we are close and especially during the wedding. What a blessing we had at both Mother’s Day and the wedding to have ALL of our children, grandchildren and parents present for the first time ever.
We continue to travel miles and miles and miles…… reporting to our churches. The children are doing great. Not so sure that Dad is as much of a trooper as they are! Smile…!
Thank you to every church and individual who has helped and is helping us along our way as we visit our wonderful friends and mission family of supporters. We have greatly enjoyed meeting so many new churches and friends as well. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of being with you.
Joe & Lisa
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
