May 23, 2015 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Revelation 4:8-9
This past couple of months have been very busy for us. There is much going on here at Efata. As the verse above states, Holy is our God and worthy of all glory, honor and praise! We thank him for counting us worthy and putting us in the ministry.
School started again in March. We had a rough start with the high school program due to problems with changes in the local government education offices and the school that sponsors our deaf high school program. Thankfully, after a few weeks, it was all worked out, and we can continue our unique program.
One of our little deaf boys named Yerik had his surgery on his legs to straighten them out. The surgery went well. He has been in bed for a month with a body cast. Two weeks ago, they removed the cast, and he is in physical therapy to learn how to walk again. He is doing great. Thank God to all who donated their resources and time to make this happen.
Construction Work on New Roof
Currently, we are building the new roof on our cafeteria. We have been praying and working towards this goal for several years. An NGO has donated $10,000 towards this project, and we are well on our way to finally getting it done. With what is being donated by a businessman in our church, we will be able to complete this project.
This month we celebrated our church’s 38th anniversary. Missionary Ray Bradley from Ecuador was our special speaker. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to work here in Peru for 16 years with both Deaf and hearing people. During this anniversary, we ordained two men to the Gospel ministry.
We do have a very special financial need that we would ask you to pray about. The Deaf Department of Trinity Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL, has worked hard to bring together a massive donation for our School and Ministry that will be shipped by the Government via USAID. The shipping is FREE. The problem is that they have collected over $100,000 worth of clothing, school supplies and items for the children’s home, and they have a need for a storage facility with a loading dock as required by USAID.
We are asking if you, our supporters, could pray about a special offering to help with the costs of renting a facility and the mobilization of the supplies to the facility. We are hoping that we can get the items shipped within three months. The timing is dependent on paperwork processing both here in Peru and back in the States.
Thank you so much for your help and prayers for this project. It has been in the works for almost two years. Many have donated much-needed uniforms, equipment and supplies that will be a great help for us.
Ordination Service During Our 38th Anniversary
We continue to see souls saved and are excited about the work the Lord is doing here at Efata and at our mission works throughout Peru. Pray as we look at another area to start a work during the coming months. I am currently discipling two men. One, Ronald, lives in an area where we wish to start a work. Pray that God will help him grow and become a leader in His work.
As many of you know, Julianne and Frank are expecting our first grandson. He is due to make his appearance in June. Lisa will be leaving for a month to help her. I will be going to the States for ten days in June as well to see him and for follow-up appointments at the VA Clinic in Fort Myers. In addition, Joseph and Zulema are now expecting. Their baby is due in December. How thrilling it is that this new season in our lives has come upon us. I have been looking forward to this for a long time.
Jared has just graduated from the one-year Bible college program at Master’s Baptist College in Fargo, ND. He is very excited. He has a good job and great opportunities there. He will continue to live in Fargo and serve the Lord at Fargo Baptist Church. Pray for him has he makes decisions regarding college and the Air National Guard.
James has one more year to go to finish at Baptist College of Ministry. Pray for him for his finances and his summer internship.
All is well on the home front with the children who are still at home. Pray for God’s leading and care. Thank you all for your wonderful love and care for our ministry here in Peru and beyond.
Bro. Joe & Lisa,
James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Mar 25, 2015 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Vosotros también, poniendo toda diligencia por esto mismo, añadid a vuestra fe virtud; a la virtud, conocimiento; al conocimiento, dominio propio; al dominio propio, paciencia; a la paciencia, piedad; a la piedad, afecto fraternal; y al afecto fraternal, amor. Porque si estas cosas están en vosotros, y abundan, no os dejarán estar ociosos ni sin fruto en cuanto al conocimiento de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. II Pedro 1:5-8
Queremos que Él trabaje continuamente en nuestras vidas para que llevemos fruto en el ministerio. Dios ha obrado en muchas maneras maravillosas en estos dos últimos meses. La conferencia de Fuegos de Evangelismo que tuvimos en Chiclayo fue una gran bendición y vimos mucho fruto. Habían clases para predicadores, damas y jóvenes, y también servicios unidos con mensajes para todos. Al menos quince personas fueron salvadas, y al menos cinco personas se rindieron para servir al Señor tiempo completo. Habíamos estado orando mucho tiempo para la salvación de una de las parejas que confiaron en Cristo. Agradecemos a Dios por Franco Loyola y Galo Montalvo de Ecuador y por Gil Torres de California. Estos hombres de Dios predicaron conmigo, y les estamos muy agradecidos por darnos su tiempo, y compartirnos sus corazones predicando la palabra de Dios a la gente aquí en Perú.
Verano en el Perú (diciembre a febrero) pasó rápidamente para los niños sordos y para nuestros hijos también. Dios los ha bendecido en muchas maneras. Ellos salieron a pasear muchas veces. A los niños sordos se les dieron nuevos zapatos de marca para la escuela. Recibimos una donación para el techo de la cafetería, y se está construyendo ahora. Alabamos a Dios por esto y oramos por la seguridad y que el Señor siga proveyendo para ello.
Yerik tuvo su cirugía, colocando placas en sus caderas. Oren por su recuperación. Es muy difícil para este pequeño estar quieto. Él no entiende todavía que esto le ayudará. Él está en un yeso desde su pecho hacia abajo, y debe estar hechado en su espalda por un mes. Estamos muy agradecidos de cómo Dios ha provisto para su cirugía. ¡Gracias por sus oraciones!
Los cultos en la Iglesia han sido una bendición. Hemos visto un crecimiento espiritual en nuestros nuevos miembros, como también algunas almas salvadas. Hemos tenido ambos sordos y oyentes bautizados, y agradecemos a Dios por su obra en los corazones. Por favor, continúen orando por el ministerio y la Iglesia Bautista Efata, que Dios siga ayudandonos a llevar fruto en el conocimiento de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
Jared y James siguen en los Estados estudiando en el seminario, Julianne y Frank están esperando un bebé en junio, y Joseph y Zulema son de mucha ayuda aquí en el ministerio. Judson fue de gran ayuda para la interpretación de la conferencia de Fuegos. Damos gracias a Dios por cada uno de nuestros hijos, y oramos para que Dios los protege y guíe en todos sus caminos.
Gracias por sus oraciones y su apoyo fiel. Que Dios los bendiga,
Hno. Joe y Lisa,
James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Mar 25, 2015 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Our desire is that He works continuously in our lives to make us fruitful in the ministry. God has worked in many wonderful ways in our ministry these last two months. The Fires of Evangelism conference that we had in Chiclayo was a great blessing and did see much fruit. There were classes for preachers, for women, for youth, and joint services with messages for all. At least fifteen people were saved, and at least five people surrendered to full time service to the Lord. We had been praying a long time for the salvation of one of the couples who trusted Christ. We thank God for Franco Loyola, and Galo Montalvo from Ecuador, and Gil Torres from California. These men of God preached with me and we are so grateful that they gave of their time, and shared their hearts, preaching God’s word to the people here in Peru.
Summer in Peru (December – February) passed quickly with the deaf children and ours also, but God has blessed them in many ways. They were blessed to go out and enjoy themselves many times, and the deaf children were given brand new shoes for school. We have had a donation for the roof of the cafeteria, and this is being constructed. We praise God for this and pray for safety and that the Lord will continue to provide for this.
Yerik had his surgery, placing plates in his hips. Pray for his recovery. It is really hard for this little guy to be still. He doesn’t understand yet that this will help him. He is in a cast from his chest down, and can only lay flat on his back for a month. We are so thankful how God provided for his surgery. Thank you for your prayers!
Church services have been a blessing, we have seen spiritual growth in our newer members, as well as seeing souls saved. We have had both deaf and hearing baptized, and we thank God for his working in hearts. Please continue to pray for Efata Baptist Church and ministry, that God would continue to help us that we might be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jared and James are still in the States studying at Bible College, Julianne and Frank are expecting a baby in June, and Joseph and Zulema are a great help here in the Ministry. Judson was a great help interpreting for the Fires conference. We thank God for each of our children, and pray that God protects, leads, and guides them in all His ways.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support. May God bless you,
Bro. Joe & Lisa,
James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Feb 5, 2015 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Carta de Oración Noviembre – Diciembre 2014
Queridos Amigos y Familiares,
Dad gracias en todo, porque esta es la voluntad de Dios para con vosotros en Cristo Jesús.
1 Tesalonicenses 5:18
Estamos tan agradecidos al Señor por todo lo que Él ha hecho para nosotros; Su protección, Su provisión, y Su providencia en nuestras vidas. También estamos agradecidos a cada uno de ustedes quienes nos apoyan y están con nosotros mientras servimos aquí en el Perú.
Informes del Ministerio
Termino el colegio este año con varios de los niños mas pequeños graduando del inicial. Terminó bien el seminario, y estamos anticipando el nuevo año del colegio que comenzará en Marzo. Mucha de la familia de la iglesia y los trabajadores, tal como los alumnos están de vacaciones o de vuelto a casa por el verano.
Noviembre fue un mes ocupado con dos conferencias Bíblicas maravillosas, varios salvos y muchas decisiones hechas.
El 4 de Enero, comisionamos a Wilder Rojas, uno de nuestros pastores asistentes como nuestro misionero más recién a la ciudad de Cajamarca en los montes del Perú. El y su familia han sido de tanta bendición aquí mientras trabajaron, entrenaron, y prepararon por el ministerio.
La Navidad era un tiempo maravilloso, y agradecemos a todos ustedes quienes dieron extra para hacer que sea especial para los niños y trabajadores de Efata, y para nuestra familia también. De todos nosotros a todos ustedes, ¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!
Este año ha sido un año maravilloso n cuanto almas salvadas y nuevos Cristianos bautizados. Justo antes que termine el colegio, tuvimos a varios sordos salvados y dos bautizados.
Un bendición maravilloso que realizamos este año es que Serafín, el padre de Zulema, la esposa de Joseph, se dio cuenta en Febrero de que de veras no era salvo. Acepto a Cristo como su Salvador y me acercó deseando ser bautizado. Esto ha sido una respuesta a tantas oraciones, y el ver el cambio en su vida es maravilloso.
Informes Familiares
¡Joseph por fin está casado! Que locura ha sido preparando todo. Había casi 400 personas presentes aquí en Perú, y varios más quienes lo vieron por el internet. Gracias a todos nuestros amigos y familiares quienes pudieron venir y participar en hacer que esto sea un tiempo especial para Joseph y su novia, Zulema. Ahora están disfrutando de su luna de miel.
Cuando regresan, estarán trabajando duros con nuestro ministerio de Sordos, colegio, y en cada aspecto de la obra aquí en Efata.
Fue maravilloso tener a todos nuestros hijos aquí por un corto tiempo. Ambos James y Jared tanto como Julianne y su esposo Frank pudieron venir para la boda.
En Noviembre tuve la oportunidad de volar a los Estados para acompañar a mi padre a la casa de mi tío y su esposa en NJ. El propósito del viaje era testificarles pues mi tío tenía cáncer. Ambos él y mi tía oraron para recibir a Cristo como Salvador antes que él falleció en Diciembre. No puedo contar lo maravilloso que eso fue para mí. Mi tío Frankie era un maravilloso padre, esposo, y tío. Mi tía Charlotte también es tremenda madre, abuela, y tía. Extrañaremos a Tío Frankie, pero anticipamos verle otra vez en el Cielo.
¡¡¡Dios mediante seré ABUELO!!! No puedo esperar. ¡Julianne y Frank están esperando a un varoncito! Él debe presentarse al mundo en la primera parte de Junio. Lisa, la familia, y yo estamos tan felices por ellos. Ora por la salud de Julianne. Esto es su segundo embarazo, entonces están siendo lo más cuidadosos que pueden.
Unos Necesidades Especiales
En Noviembre nos dieron una beca de $10,000 para reemplazar el techo de nuestro cocina/comedor/centro prenatal. Costará más o menos $5,000 más de lo que nos dieron. El techo corriente tiene más de 30 años y es peligroso. Un terremoto fuerte y se puede derrumbar. Por favor ora con nosotros que Dios provee los fondos extras que necesitamos para este proyecto.
Como mencione en nuestras cartas anteriores, el proyecto “Big Box” aun esta en progreso. Ahora estamos en las etapas finales del papeleo antes de que se puede empacar y enviar, y no es un proceso fácil. Por favor ora por todos nuestros amigos y obreros quienes están involucrado en ese proyecto para terminar pronto. Ha sido un largo y bendito proceso, pero con muchas vueltas frustrantes.
Dios te bendiga,
Hno. Joe & Lisa,
James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Feb 5, 2015 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We are so thankful to the Lord for all he has done on our behalf; His protection, His provision and His providence in our lives. We are also thankful to each and every one of you who stands beside and with us as we serve here in Peru.
Ministry News
School ended with several younger children graduating from kindergarten. The seminary ended well and we look forward to the new year of school which will start in March. Many of our church family and workers, as well as students, are gone on vacation or back home for the summer.
November was a busy month with two tremendous Bible Conferences and several saved and many decisions made.
On Jan. 4th, we commissioned Wilder Rojas, one of our assistant pastors as our newest missionary to the mountain city of Cajamarca, Peru. He and his family have been such a blessing here as they have worked, trained and prepared for ministry.
Christmas was a wonderful time and we thank all of you who gave extra to make it special for the children and staff of Efata and for our family as well. From all of us to all of you, THANK YOU!
This year has been a great year for souls saved and converts baptized. Just before school ended, we has several deaf saved and two were baptized.
One wonderful blessing that we experienced here at Efata this year is that Serafin, the father of Zulema, Joseph’s bride, realized back in February that he was not truly saved. He trusted Christ as Saviour and came to me asking to be baptized. This has been an answer to many prayers and to see the change in his life is wonderful.
Family News
Joseph is finally married! What a time it has been getting everything prepared. There were almost 400 people in attendance here in Peru for the wedding and several others who watched the event online. Thank you to all of our friends and family who were able to come and participate in making this a special time for Joseph and his bride Zulema. They are now off enjoying their honeymoon.
When they get back, they will be working hard with our Deaf ministry, School ministry and every aspect of the work here at Efata.
It was great to have all of our children here for a short time. Both James and Jared, as well as Julianne and her husband Frank were able to come to the wedding.
In November I had the opportunity to fly to the States to accompany my father to my uncle and aunts home in NJ. The purpose of the trip was to have the opportunity to witness to them as my uncle had cancer Both he and my aunt prayed to receive Christ as Savior before he passed away in December. I cannot tell you what that meant to me. My uncle Frankie was a wonderful father and husband and tremendous uncle. My Aunt Charlotte as well is a tremendous mother, grandmother and aunt. We will miss Uncle Frankie. I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.
Lord willing, I’m going to be a GRANPA!!! I cannot wait. Julianne and Frank are expecting a baby boy! He is set to present himself to the world the first part of June. Lisa, the family and I are so happy for them. Pray for Julianne’s health. This is her second pregnancy so they are being as careful as they can.
Some Special Needs
In November we were given a grant of $10,000 to replace the roof of our Kitchen/Cafeteria/Pregnancy Crisis Center. It is going to cost about $5000 more above the grant that was given. The current roof is over 30 years old and very dangerous. One good earthquake and it can come down. Please pray with us that the Lord will provide the much needed extra funds for this project.
As I mentioned in our previous letters, our “Big Box” project is still in the works. We are now in the final paperwork stages before packing and shipping and it is not an easy process. Please pray for all of our friends and workers that are involved in this project so that it can be completed and shipped within the next few months. It has been a long and blessed process, however with many frustrating turns.
God Bless,
Bro. Joe & Lisa,
James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
