Oct 21, 2017 | Prayer Letters
Dear friends and family,
”If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5
It has been a wonderful few months with a great deal of activity and blessings. We have had many decisions to make and are grateful to God for each blessing and response to our prayers. As the verse above states, God desires to give us his wisdom for the tasks he has set before us. All we need do is ask.
Ministry News
These past months have gone by quickly. I had the privilege to preach an anniversary conference for a church in Trujillo which was a great blessing. I always enjoy when I can go to another city in Peru and preach and teach the precious Word of God.
We also had two groups from churches in the States that were a great blessing to us in helping with infrastructure construction repair and ministry. it is always an honor to host mission trips from the States.
One of the greatest blessings for me has been an open door to preach to the military here in Lima. Every week I go to one of the bases here and preach to a company of soldiers, teaching them principles and ethics from the Bible. What a joy. Several of these soldiers have been saved and some have been able to come to church on Wednesday nights here at Efata. We are praying that God will give us more open doors in this area. We have been seeking the opportunity to teach in the police academy for a long time also. Please pray for this. I will be tackling this with renewed effort when we return from our furlough.
Our church is thriving and excited about reaching people for Christ. Many are inviting their loved ones and friends, and we constantly have deaf and hearing visitors. We have seen souls saved, and baptized. We are looking forward to sharing with you soon. Speaking of furlough, we love you all and greatly wish to see you and report on what the Lord is doing here at Efata through our ministry. I have been unsuccessful in reaching many by phone. If you can, please call me back or e-mail me if you prefer at jkotvas@efata.org.
We are still working on securing our land for the new ministry that we are planning to start in Chancay, about two hours north of us. We are planning a church, camp, pro-life center and other ministries for this new area. Several people in the community are thankful that we will be coming in and have expressed interest in the new church plant. Because of the wonderful price of the land there, many of our church members are purchasing their own land there as well, and some of them plan on moving there and helping plant the new church. Please pray that all issues will be cleared with this new land.
Family News:
We have a new granddaughter! Esther Catherine Emerald Kotvas was born on Monday, Oct. 16th. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am. This will be our fourth grandchild and first granddaughter. Julianne will be giving birth, Lord willing in December, to our fifth grandchild and second granddaughter. We are grateful to the Lord for these gifts.
Judson is in Wisconsin working as a recruiter’s assistant for a month then will continue in 29 Palms, California in technical training with the Marine Corps, and Jared is serving at his first permanent duty station in Panama City, FL. We are very proud of them both. It looks like they both will be able to come to South Florida for Christmas this year. Joseph and Zulema will be the only ones not able to come this year. James will be able to come down from Bible Seminary as well. We will miss Joseph, Zulema and the babies.
Thank you all once again for your care for us and the ministry of God in which we are privileged to serve. We hope to hear from you soon and look forward to scheduling visits with you as the Lord allows.
Blessings to all,
Joe & Lisa Kotvas
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Jun 18, 2017 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Queridos amigos y familiares,
Marcos 7:37 dice: ” bien lo ha hecho todo…” ¡Dios hace todas las cosas bien! Estamos tan agradecidos a Él por habernos salvado y elegido para usarnos en Su ministerio.
Estos dos meses han sido algunos de los más ocupados tanto en el ámbito familiar como en el ministerio en general. Estamos agradecidos de que Dios es omnipotente y, sin embargo, es íntimamente consciente de lo que somos y todo lo que hacemos.
Noticias del ministerio
En la semana del 17 al 21 de mayo, la Iglesia Bautista Efata celebró nuestro 40o aniversario. ¡Qué gran evento! Evangelista Jim Sloan, misionero John Olson y pastor Joe Davis vinieron y fueron de bendición para nosotros. Varios de nuestros misioneros asistieron, así como muchas personas sordas y oyentes que han estado o siguen siendo conectadas con nuestro ministerio. La gente venía de nuestras obras misioneras en Callao y Tablada también. El domingo, tuvimos más de 540 personas presentes. Fue un tiempo maravilloso de recuerdos y visión para el futuro. En una nota agridulce, Velma Miller, la esposa del fundador, fue a casa para estar con el Señor el domingo anterior, que era el Día de la Madre. Tenía 91 años, y se fue a su casa en paz mientras dormía, justo como ella oraba.
Por favor oren por Washington y Ana, una pareja de ancianos con quienes Lisa y yo hemos estado trabajando. Washington es un nuevo cristiano, y guiamos a su esposa a Cristo. Oren para que ella venga y sea bautizada y asista a la iglesia con su esposo. Provienen de una tradición muy católica. Estamos planeando un estudio bíblico en su hogar. Oren para que ellos respondan.
Lisa y yo estuvimos recientemente en los Estados Unidos para asistir a la graduación de nuestro hijo Judson del entrenamiento básico de los Marine Corps. (Más sobre eso a continuación). Mientras estuvimos allí tuvimos el privilegio de rendir cuentas a varias de nuestras iglesias. Era tan bueno volver a verlas. Gracias por su hospitalidad y cuidado.
POR FAVOR TOMEN NOTA: Estamos planeando nuestra primera licencia (furlough) extendida para 2018. No hemos estado de licencia desde hace seis años, y no hemos estado de licencia por más de cinco meses desde hace casi 12 años. Recientemente cambiamos nuestra calidad migratoria peruana para permitirnos estar fuera del país por un año completo sin consecuencias. Esperamos ver a tantos de ustedes como sea posible. Empezaré a llamar pronto. Si ustedes quisieran tenernos para su conferencia misionera o para un domingo, por favor escríbanme por correo electrónico o llámenme para coordinar. Si no tienen noticias de mí en los próximos meses, pónganse en contacto conmigo. Puedo no haber sido capaz de contactarles debido a información de contacto viejo o perdido.
Noticias de la familia:
Como mencioné, Judson acaba de graduarse del entrenamiento básico de los Marine Corps en Parris Island, NC. Estamos muy orgullosos de él. Además, acaba de terminar el entrenamiento de infantería (¡Cada Marine es un fusilero primero!). Ahora está estacionado en 29 Palms, California, preparándose para la escuela técnica.
Jared también se unió al servicio militar, y completó el entrenamiento básico de la Fuerza Aérea el 2 de junio. Estuve con él en San Antonio, TX para la ceremonia de graduación. Jared irá a Biloxi, MS para entrenamiento técnico en Keesler AFB.
Dios es tan bueno para nosotros. Todos los cinco de nuestros hijos que han crecido y están fuera de la casa están sirviendo al Señor y a su país. Cuando Judson estaba en el entrenamiento básico, le encantaba ir a la capilla media hora antes y quedarse media hora tarde para tocar el piano. Dijo que era un gran alivio para el estrés.
James ha completado el primer año de su maestría en Baptist College of Ministry, y está sirviendo y entrenando como voluntario Técnico de emergencias médicas. Trabaja en la iglesia en el mantenimiento y la seguridad y sirve como un instructor en un campo de la misión del verano en MO. Tiene un año más de escuela, después de lo cual planea ir a la diputación.
Joseph y su esposa Zulema y Julianne y su marido Frank están esperando a otro bebé (octubre y diciembre, respectivamente). Cuando nazcan, ¡eso nos hará cinco maravillosos nietos! ¡Estoy rezando para que algunas nietas se echen a perder!
Nuestros cinco hijos en casa, Joy (16), John (13), Joel (11), Jessica (9) & Jennifer (6) están todos bien, creciendo, ayudando, cantando en el coro, etc. Es como tener una segunda generación de niños para criar. Oramos que Dios nos da mucha sabiduría.
Gracias a todos una vez más por su cuidado por nosotros y el ministerio de Dios en el cual tenemos el privilegio de servir. Esperamos tener noticias de usted pronto y esperamos programar visitas con usted como el Señor lo permite.
Bendiciones a todos,
Joe y Lisa Kotvas
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Jun 18, 2017 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
Mark 7:37 states, “he hath done all things well….” God does all things well! We are so thankful that He has saved us, and chosen to use us in His ministry.
These past couple of months have been some of the busiest in both the family realm as well as the ministry overall. We are grateful that God is omnipotent, and yet still intimately aware of who we are and all that we do.
Ministry News
The week of May 17th through the 21st, Efata Baptist Church celebrated our 40th anniversary. What a great event that was. Evangelist Jim Sloan, Missionary John Olson and Pastor Joe Davis came and were such a blessing to us. Several of our missionaries attended, as well as many deaf and hearing folks who have been or are connected to our ministry. People came from our mission works in Callao and Tablada as well. On Sunday, we had over 540 people in attendance. It was a wonderful time of remembrance and vision casting for the future. On a bittersweet note, the founder’s wife Velma Miller went home to be with the Lord the Sunday prior, which was Mother’s Day. She was 91 years old and went home in peace in her sleep just as she prayed she would.
Please pray for Washington and Ana, an elderly couple Lisa and I have been working with. Washington is a new Christian, and we led his wife to Christ. Pray that she would come and be baptized and attend church with her husband. They come from a strong Catholic tradition. We are planning a Bible study in their home. Pray that they respond.
Lisa and I were recently in the States to attended our son Judson’s graduation from Marine Corps. Boot Camp (More about that below). While there we had the privilege to report to several of our supporting churches along the way. It was so good to see them and reacquaint with them. Thank you for your hospitality and care.
PLEASE NOTE: We are planning our first extended furlough for 2018. We have not been on furlough in six years and have not been on furlough longer than five months for almost 12 years. We recently changed our Peruvian immigration status to allow us to be out of the country for a full year without consequence. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. I will begin calling soon. If you would like to have us for your mission conference or for a Sunday, please email me or call me to coordinate. If you do not hear from me in the next few months, please contact me. I may have not been able to get a hold of you due to old or lost contact information.
Family News:
As I mentioned above, Judson just graduated Marine Corps Boot Camp on Paris Island, NC. We are so proud of him. He just finished infantry training (Every Marine is a Rifleman first!). He is now stationed at 29 Palms, California, preparing for technical school.
Jared also just joined the military, and he completed Air Force Basic Training on June 2. I was with him in San Antonio, TX for the graduation ceremony. Jared will be going to Biloxi, MS for technical training at Keesler AFB.
God is so good to us. All five of our children who have grown and are out of the house are serving the Lord and their country. When Judson was in boot camp, he loved going to chapel half an hour early and staying half an hour late so he could play the piano. He said it was a great stress relief.
James has completed the first year of his master’s program at Baptist College of Ministry and is serving and training as a volunteer EMT. He works at the church in maintenance and security and serves as an instructor at a summer mission camp in MO. He has one more year of school, after which he plans to go on deputation.
Joseph and his wife Zulema and Julianne and her husband Frank are both expecting another baby (October and December respectively). When born, that will make five wonderful grandchildren for us! I am praying for some granddaughters to spoil!
Our five children at home, Joy (16), John (13), Joel (11), Jessica (9) & Jennifer (6) are all doing well, growing, helping, singing in choir, etc. We are so blessed. It’s like having a second generation of children to raise. We pray God gives us much wisdom.
Thank you all once again for your care for us and the ministry of God in which we are privileged to serve. We hope to hear from you soon and look forward to scheduling visits with you as the Lord allows.
Blessings to all,
Joe & Lisa Kotvas
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Mar 16, 2017 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Queridos amigos y familia,
aprovechando bien el tiempo, porque los días son malos. Por tanto, no seáis insensatos, sino entendidos de cuál sea la voluntad del Señor. – Efesios 5:16-17
Mientras servimos juntos aquí en el Perú como sus fieles colaboradores para el Señor, nos ocupamos con la obra del Maestro, porque como dice el versículo en Efesios, los días son malos. Este verano ha traído muchas oportunidades y necesidades.
Noticias del ministerio
Campamentos y conferencias: Este verano se ha llenado de actividades y emociones. En enero tuve la oportunidad de predicar en un campamento familiar en Trujillo. Fue una bendición; los campistas respondieron a la predicación y la enseñanza y tomaron muchas decisiones. Además, la última semana de enero y la primera semana de febrero tuvimos nuestros propios campamentos (los primeros en casi 17 años), uno para sordos y otro para oyentes. Qué gran bendición ver a personas sordas y oyentes salvados y cambiados durante estos campamentos. Los que llegaron de otras iglesias dijeron que era el mejor campamento al que han asistido, y esperan con anticipación los campamentos del próximo año.
La semana pasada también celebramos nuestra conferencia de Fuegos de Evangelismo. Este año se realizó en el Seminario Bíblico Bautista en el norte de Lima a unas dos horas de Efata. Qué gran bendición, con más de 40 pastores llegando a los talleres y más de 400 personas asistiendo cada noche. En la invitación la última noche, más de 40 jóvenes y adultos dedicaron sus vidas públicamente al Señor.
Estamos planeando el 40º aniversario de Efata, que se viene del 17 al 21 de mayo. Por favor oren para que sea un gran estímulo para nuestra iglesia y para que muchos sean salvados.
Salvaciones y bautismos: Muchas personas han sido salvadas durante estos últimos meses. El otro domingo bautizamos a varias personas de Efata y de nuestra iglesia misionera en Tablada. Uno era hermano mayor de dos de los pastores en nuestro equipo. Fue el último de los hermanos en ser salvo y bautizado. Fue maravilloso ver a todos los hermanos y hermanas venir a asistir al bautismo. Estaban tan emocionados. Fue grandioso ver a los nuevos conversos y a otros cristianos responder a la orden del Señor para el bautismo.
Ministerio del hogar: Seguimos recibiendo un flujo constante de bebés y niños que pasan por Efata en camino a sus orfanatos. Ayudamos como hogar transitorio para estos niños abandonados o rescatados de situaciones abusivas. La mayoría son bebés o niños pequeños, pero ocasionalmente recibimos a un niño mayor, y muchos de esos han sido salvos a través de este ministerio. Uno de esos era una niña de once años que vino y se quedó con nosotros por sólo una noche. ¡Tal vez nunca la volvamos a ver este lado del cielo, pero la veremos allí!
Infraestructura: Recientemente la ciudad pavimentó nuestras calles y puso veredas. Hemos estado esperando años para esto. El barrio se ve mucho mejor ahora. Estamos pidiendo fondos para reparar y restaurar la muralla de seguridad y las puertas de nuestra institución. Si usted o su iglesia nos puede ayudar con este proyecto sería una bendición y un buen testimonio a nuestra área.
Futura iglesia: Hemos comprado una parcela de tierra para una futura iglesia dos horas al norte de nosotros en una nueva zona de urbanización donde no hay iglesias bautistas. Se encuentra en una zona que tendrá mucho crecimiento debido a un nuevo puerto que se construirá. El lote para la iglesia costó alrededor de $8900 (como $2 por metro cuadrado). El valor de esta tierra ya ha subido. ¿Podrían orar sobre ayudar con este costo? Estamos planeando recaudar fondos adicionales para preparar la tierra y construir una estructura sencilla donde podamos realizar servicios una vez que comencemos el proceso de evangelización en la zona.
Por favor continúen orando por nosotros y nuestro ministerio a los sordos y oyentes. Dios está usando Efata de una gran manera aquí en Perú y más allá.
Trabajo policial: Por favor continúen orando por este ministerio que queremos desarrollar. Cada vez que creo que estamos logrando avances, parece que las cosas se mueven a un ritmo de caracol. Tuve una reunión con un coronel que actualmente supervisa el Departamento de Bienestar de la policía nacional, la cual supervisa la capellanía. Realmente le gustaban mis propuestas para un cuerpo voluntario de capellanes para aumentar a los capellanes católicos oficiales. Él está trabajando para conseguir otra reunión para mí con el Director de la Policía Nacional. Les mantendré informados.
Noticias de la familia
Judson está en su entrenamiento básico en Parris Island para los marines. Por favor oren por él, ya que es difícil, pero está decidido a convertirse en un marine. Se graduará el 28 de abril. Lisa y yo iremos a la graduación. Jared entrará en la Fuerza Aérea el 11 de abril. Ambos lograron puntuaciones ASVAB muy altas y pudieron obtener buenos trabajos en el servicio. Oren por ellos mientras se embarcan en este nuevo capítulo de sus vidas, que Dios los use también en Su servicio.
Nuestros cinco hijos más pequeños están bien y están de vuelta a la rutina del colegio. Ambos Joy y John se acercaron en la conferencia para dedicar sus vidas al Señor. Qué bendición era eso.
¡Felicidades a mi esposa Lisa, quien acaba de cumplir 50 años este mes! Agradezco mucho a Dios por ella y por su amor. No estaría aquí hoy sin ella.
Gracias a todos ustedes por sus fieles oraciones y apoyo. Dios está haciendo cosas maravillosas a través de nuestra labor mutua.
Bendiciones,
Hno. Joe y Lisa
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Mar 16, 2017 | Prayer Letters
Dear friends and family,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:16-17
As we serve together here in Peru as your faithful partners in the Lord, we endeavor to stay busy about the Master’s business because as the verse above states the days are evil. This summer has been no exception with many opportunities and needs.
Ministry News
Camps and Conferences: This summer has been filled with activities and excitement. In January, I had the opportunity to preach at family camp in Trujillo. That was a blessing as campers responded to the preaching and teaching and many decisions were made. In addition, the last week of January and the first week of February we held our own camps (first in almost 17 years), one for the deaf and one for the hearing. What a great blessing as we saw deaf and hearing people saved and lives changed during these camps. Folks who came from other churches said it was the best camp they have attended and are looking forward with anticipation to next year’s camps.
Last week we also held our Fires of Evangelism conference. This year it was held at the Baptist Bible College here in the north of Lima about two hours from Efata. What a great blessing that was, as over 40 pastors came to the workshops and over 400 people attended each night. During the final evening invitation, over 40 young people and adults came forward and publicly dedicated their lives to the Lord.
Please pray as we are planning for the 40th anniversary for Efata, May 17-21, that it will be a great encouragement to our church and that we’ll see many saved.
Salvations & Baptisms: Many people have been saved during these past months. This past Sunday we baptized several people from Efata and our mission church in Tablada. One was the older brother of two of our pastors on our staff. He was the last of his siblings to be saved and baptized. They were so excited and it was wonderful to see all the brothers and sisters come to attend the baptism. It was great to see this group of new converts and other Christians respond to the Lord’s command for baptism.
Home Ministry: We continue to receive a steady stream of babies and children who pass through Efata on their way to their orphanages. We have helped as a transitory home for these children who are abandoned or taken from abusive situations. Most are babies or young children but we occasionally get a child who is older, of whom many have been saved through this ministry. One such child was an eleven-year-old girl who recently came and stayed with us for just one night. We may never see her again on this side of Heaven but we will see her there!
Infrastructure: Recently the city paved our streets and put in sidewalks. We have been waiting years for this. The neighborhood looks a great deal better now. We are praying for funds to repair and restore our complex security wall and doors. If you or your church can help us with that project it would be a blessing and good testimony to our area.
Future church plant: We have purchased a plot of land for a future church plant two hours north of us in a new urbanization area where there are no Baptist churches. It is in an area that is slated for much growth because of a new super port for shipping that is going to be built. The plot for the church cost about $8900 (about $2 a square meter). The value of this land has already gone up. Would you please pray about helping with this cost? We are planning to raise additional funds to prepare the land and build a simple structure where we can hold services once we begin the evangelization process in the area.
Please continue to pray for us and our ministry to the Deaf and hearing. God is using Efata in a great way here in Peru and beyond.
Police Work: Please continue to pray for this area of ministry that we are trying to develop. Every time I believe we are making advances, it seems things grind to a snail’s pace. I had a meeting with a key Colonel who currently oversees the Department of Wellbeing for the national police which oversees the Chaplaincy. He really liked my proposals for a volunteer chaplaincy corps to augment the official Catholic chaplains. He is working on getting another meeting for me with the Director of the National Police. I will keep you advised.
Family News
Judson is in boot camp at Parris Island for the Marines. Please pray for him as it is tough going but he is determined to become a Marine. He will graduate April 28th. Lisa and I will be going to the graduation. Jared will be going into the Air Force on April 11th. Both had very high ASVAB scores and were able to get great jobs in the service. Pray for them as they embark on this new chapter of their lives and that God will use them in His service as well.
Our five youngest children are doing well and are back into the school routine. Joy and John both went forward in the conference to dedicate their lives to the Lord. What a blessing that was.
Congratulations to my wife Lisa, who turned 50 this month! I thank God for her and for her love. I wouldn’t be here today without her.
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support. God is doing wonderful things through our partnership.
Blessings,
Bro. Joe & Lisa
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
