Oct 24, 2013 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. – Psalm 127:3-5
I thank God that He has been so merciful and bountiful towards us as a family and in ministry. He has given us wonderful children and we greatly rejoice in what He is doing in, through and with them!
This prayer letter is the “Family Edition”! There is no greater joy for a father, pastor, missionary than seeing his children choose life paths and spouses that honor Him and their parents.
Our three adult children, Joseph, Julianne and James are each following Christ-honoring paths.
Joseph has been accepted as a full-time missionary with our mission board, Macedonia World Baptist Missions. (See attached “Special Notice” regarding this.)
Julianne will be getting married on Feb. 7th, 2014. She is marrying a wonderful man named Frank Miller. Frank grew up in church as his father was a pastor for many years. I worked with his father as his assistant pastor for over two years and I watched Frank grow. He is now a leader in his church, captain of his bus route and church pianist. He will be providing a solid Christian home that honors God. I have enjoyed watching their courting process and we recently completed their pre-marital counseling.
James is studying at Baptist College of Ministry at Falls Baptist Church in Menomenee Falls, WI. He is doing great. James is very dedicated to the Lord and His calling on his life to be a full-time missionary as well. Please pray for him, as he works on campus maintenance staff as many hours as possible. It is not enough to cover his school bill. It is difficult to work off-campus without transportation. He is also very active in the Spanish ministry. James loves to work hard with his hands and is very good at it.
Jared has his heart set on being a pilot in the Navy and is working towards that goal. He wants to serve the Lord but does not sense a specific calling to full-time ministry at this time. He will be eighteen this month. He works in our sound booth, interprets in the Bible college for our Deaf students, sings in the choir, helps with visitation, and general maintenance.
Judson is 15. He loves to work with his hands in ministry. He is improving his concentration in school. He helps interpreting, visitation, ushering, maintenance, and singing in the choir.
Joy just turned 13 in September. What a beautiful young lady she has become. She continues her school and practicing her piano and violin. She likes to go visiting as well and just began singing in the adult choir.
John loves to sing. He does a great job in the children’s choir. He will be 10 years old in December. He likes to go visiting when he has the opportunity.
Joel, Jessica and Jennifer continue to grow and learn and are so much fun. Jessica could take the energizer bunny’s job! Lisa and I are doing well and rejoicing in what the Lord is doing with our family.
The ministry is going well. Our new church in Tablada is moving to a more permanent location. That has been a blessing and a bit of an expence to prepare the site for services which will transfer there next month. It is only two blocks from its original location which is a blessing. It should have enough space to accommodate over 200 people. We are averaging 50-60 people every Sunday at the current location.
We had a tremendous day here at Efata Baptist church the 13th of October; our members were encouraged to invite all of their unsaved family to worship God with them. We praise the Lord for being able to minister to over 435 people in the morning service! Please continue to pray for our church as we serve Him here. Please pray especially for Roxana, a new believer. Deciding to be baptized and follow Christ has already cost her and her two small children a great deal. She is trusting Him to provide them now with housing, protection, and sustenance.
Thank you for allowing God to use you as a channel for His will to be done in missions through our partnership with you.
God Bless,
Bro. Joe & Lisa,
Joseph, Julianne, James, Jared, Judson,
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Special Notice
As I indicated in our prayer letter, Joseph is now a full-time independent Baptist Missionary with Macedonia World Baptist Missions. He was accepted in the month of September and is preparing for Deputation.
For more than 15 years, many of you have faithfully supported our family and Efata Ministries and thus Joseph. He surrendered many years ago to follow God’s call on his life to be a missionary in Peru. He has grown up here in Peru in our ministry and his entire life has been devoted to serving the Lord with his family.
For the past year-and-a-half, Joseph has been serving in our ministry as a student missionary through Macedonia. He has served here on the mission field in an exemplary manner. Since returning to Peru after graduating college with a Degree in Secondary Education with proficiencies in Special Education, Music and English (his chosen degree field to better minister and serve the Deaf with the goal of reaching the Deaf with the Gospel and discipling and training Deaf leaders to propagate the Gospel throughout the Deaf world in Peru and beyond), he has been involved in ministry here at Efata in the following ways:
- Master Teacher in our mission school for the Deaf
- Pianist for our hearing ministry
- Preaching occasionally in our church services
- Youth director for our new church plant in Tablada
- Soul-winning and discipleship
- Interpreter (Fluent in four languages, English, Spanish, American & Peruvian Sign Languages)
- Involved in the development of interpreter training and education for the Deaf.
- Coordination and implementation of a summer missions trip for our youth department with our youth pastor to the Jungle city of Peru in support of our church plant there.
- Development and maintenance of minstry and family websites.
Joseph is a dedicated, multi-talented servant and has shown maturity, integrity, sacrifice and service in ministry. He is a young man of solid conservative Christian values and principles. He has personally lead many Deaf and hearing people to the Lord and has been involved in personal discipleship and training.
Joseph is being commissioned and sent out of Efata Baptist Church here in Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru. As his pastor and father, I would highly recommend him to you for your consideration as an independent addition to your missionary family.
The process of beginning deputation is exciting and challenging. Joseph will need not only regular monthly support, but also start-up funds for deputation. We would ask that you prayerfully consider helping him with either or both of these needs. We are doing what we can. His prayer cards have been paid for by our local church. His plane ticket to return to the United States for his deputation has be purchased as well. He will need the following:
- Reliable transportation
- Technology equipment for deputation (laptop, projector, cell phone, etc.)
- Start up funds for gas, meals, lodging etc.
- Clothing expenses
- Meetings
Pastors & Friends, If you can help him, even in the smallest way, together we can see that Joseph completes his deputation in the shortest time possible so he can return to the mission field. Most of all, please be in constant prayer for God’s provision, guidance and encouragement.
You can designate support for Joseph through Macedonia World Baptist Missions. Please call or email me with any questions at 813-675-4879; jkotvas@efata.org.
Thank you once again for the many years of faithful support and encouragement to our entire family.
Bro. Joe
Aug 31, 2013 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Queridos amigos y familiares,
Bendito Jehová Dios, el Dios de Israel, El único que hace maravillas. Bendito su nombre glorioso para siempre, Y toda la tierra sea llena de su gloria. Amén y Amén. Salmo 73:18-19
¡Qué gran privilegio tenemos al poder compartir el nombre maravilloso de Jehová con otras naciones! Agradecemos a Dios por la oportunidad, y por su participación de ustedes a través de sus oraciones y su apoyo económico. Podríamos nombrar vida tras vida que ha sido bendecida en Él, como Garry, Abram, Antonio, Mabel, Dora y tantas más.
Informes del Ministerio
La nueva misión en Tablada sigue creciendo, y cristianos nuevos están siendo discipulados allá y también aquí en la Iglesia Bautista Efata. Creyentes sordos y oyentes están aprendiendo a confiar en Cristo en sus vidas diarias. Es maravilloso ver a cristianos nuevos traer sus seres queridos a Cristo, porque quieren que sus familiares también conozcan las verdades que han aprendido.
Hace poco, nuestros jóvenes se fueron por una semana de viaje misionero a una misión nuestra en la ciudad selvática de Pucallpa con nuestro pastor de jóvenes Wilder Rojas. El equipo experimentó la vida misionera mientras testificaron, enseñaron y trabajaron en el ministerio allá. Repararon a un techo, ayudaron a tarrajear las paredes y construyeron un separador para las clases de escuela dominical. Nuestro misionero pastor Henry Vásquez, su familia y la iglesia recibieron una gran bendición, así como también nuestros jóvenes. Oramos que Dios siga guiándoles y usándoles a ellos a lo largo de sus vidas.
Una niña preciosa de 8 años llego de Pucallpa para estudiar en nuestro colegio para sordos. Se llama Angie. Por favor ora que podamos serle de bendición y que ella pueda recibir a Cristo.
Hno. Matt McKendree y su esposa Sara han estado liderando nuestro ministerio de Sordos en Callao. Ellos están haciendo un trabajo tremendo allá, reestableciendo el ministerio.
Estamos comenzando a orar y a investigar las posibilidades para abrir una nueva misión en los inicios de 2014 en José Gálvez, un área al sur de nuestro local en Villa el Salvador. Ora por la dirección de Dios en estos preparativos también.
Informes de la Familia
Raymond Judd, su padre de Lisa, fue para estar con el Señor el 1 de Agosto. Lisa y yo agradecemos al Señor porque pudimos pasar un tiempo con él en junio y en julio. Todos le extrañamos mucho. ¡Fue un siervo fiel y un gran esposo, padre y abuelito!
Joseph, nuestro mayor, ha enviado su solicitud a Macedonia World Baptist Missions para convertirse en un misionero independiente. Pronto comenzará su diputación como un misionero a los sordos y oyentes del Perú. POR FAVOR oren que Dios le permita recoger su apoyo rápidamente. Él ha sido de mucha ayuda en nuestra iglesia, nuestro colegio de niños sordos y nuestra nueva misión en Tablada.
Julianne, 22, se comprometió el día de su cumpleaños (2 agosto) con un varón maravilloso llamado Frank Miller. Ellos esperan casarse el 7 de febrero del próximo año. Han estado cortejando por unos meses, y se han conocido por muchos años. Ellos vivirán en el suroeste de Florida. Dios mediante, estaremos en los EE.UU. como familia desde el 25 de diciembre hasta la boda.
James está comenzando su segundo año en Baptist College of Ministry. El preferiría estar aquí con nosotros en la obra de Dios, pero sabe que está precisamente donde debe estar para prepararse. Ora por su situación económica. Aún no tiene suficientes ingresos para cubrir sus estudios.
Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel y Jessica están estudiando y creciendo. Jennifer le diría que ya no es bebé. ¡Es una niña grande y tiene tres años!
Gracias otra vez por orar por nosotros y por participar en el ministerio que Dios nos ha encomendado.
Bendiciones,
Joe y Lisa,
Joseph, Julianne, James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, y Jennifer
Aug 31, 2013 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends & Family,
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. Psalm 73:17-19
What a great privilege it is to share the Lord’s wondrous name with other nations! We thank God for the opportunity, and for the part you play with your prayers and financial support. We could name life after life that has been blessed in Him, such as Garry, Abram, Antonio, Mabel, Dora, and so many others.
Ministry News
The mission church plant in Tablada is growing, and new Christians are being discipled there and here at Efata Baptist Church as well. Deaf and hearing Christians alike are learning to trust Christ in their daily lives. It is wonderful to see new Christians bringing their loved ones to Christ because they want their loved ones to know the truths they have learned.
Our young people recently went on a week-long missions trip led by youth pastor Wilder Rojas to the jungle city of Pucallpa, where we have a mission church plant. The team experienced missions firsthand as they witnessed, taught and worked in the ministry there. They repaired a roof, helped stucco the walls and built a movable Sunday school wall. Our missionary Pastor Henry Vasquez, his family and the church were greatly blessed, as were the young people who went. We pray God will continue to guide and use them throughout their lives.
A precious little 8 year old deaf girl came from Pucallpa to begin studying in our deaf school. Her name is Angie. Please pray that we can be a blessing to her and that she will be reached for Christ.
Brother Matt McKendree and his wife Sara have been spearheading our annex ministry to the Deaf in Callao. They are doing a tremendous job as they continue to re-establish and grow the ministry of the Deaf there.
We are beginning prayer and logistical investigation for a new church plant in early 2014 in José Galvez, an area south of our location here in Villa El Salvador. Pray for God’s leading in these preparations as well.
Family News
Raymond Judd, Lisa’s father, went to be with the Lord on August 1. Lisa and I thank the Lord that we were able to spend some time with him in June and July. We all miss him greatly. He was a faithful servant and a great husband, father and “Grampy!”
Joseph, our oldest, has applied to Macedonia World Baptist Missions to become a full-fledged missionary. He will begin deputation as a missionary to the Deaf and hearing of Peru. PLEASE pray that God will allow him to raise his support quickly. He has been a tremendous asset in our church, School for the Deaf, youth department and our new church plant.
Julianne, 22, became engaged on her birthday (Aug. 2nd) to a wonderful young man named Frank Miller. They plan to marry on February 7th of next year. They have been courting for several months and have known each other for many years. They will live in SW Florida. Lord willing, we will be in the States as a family from Dec 25th through the wedding.
James is starting his sophomore year at Baptist College of Ministry. He would much rather be here with us in the work of God, but he knows he is right where he needs to be as he prepares. Pray for his financial situation. He does not yet have enough work income to cover his school expenses.
Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel & Jessica, are in school and growing up. Jennifer will tell you now that she is not a baby, she’s a big girl and she’s three!
Thank you again for praying for us and for participating in the ministry God has entrusted to us.
Blessings,
Joe & Lisa,
Joseph, Julianne, James, Jared, Judson, Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, & Jennifer
Jun 15, 2013 | Spanish Prayer Letters
Queridos amigos y familiares,
Doy gracias al que me fortaleció, a Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor, porque me tuvo por fiel, poniéndome en el ministerio,
1 Timoteo 1:12
Los últimos dos meses nos han sido muy ocupados en muchas maneras aquí en ministerios Efata. Regocijamos en lo que está haciendo el Señor en y por nuestro servicio en Perú. Estoy agradecido a Dios que me ha tenido por fiel poniéndome en el ministerio.
Informes del Ministerio
La nueva misión en Tablada esta prosperando. Tenemos un promedio de mas que 50 personas cada domingo. Hemos comenzado la obra en Marzo, y ya estamos buscando otro lugar en donde reunirnos. El edificio que estamos alquilando no tiene el tamaño suficiente por nuestro crecimiento. Por favor ore por la provision de Dios en esta área.
El 19 de Mayo celebramos el 36o aniversario de la iglesia. Fue un tiempo maravilloso. 400 personas asistieron. Algunos fueron salvados ¡Nos gozamos en lo que el Señor hará durante este nuevo año de servicio a Él! Ha sido maravilloso ver a los creyentes Sordos y oyentes juntos adorando a Dios.
Hemos estado disfrutando de nuestra conferencia misionera anual del 12 al 16 de junio. Pastor Luis Ramos de la Iglesia Biblica Bautista en San Luis, Potosi, Mexico sera nuestro predicador invitado. Es un hombre de Dios muy honrable y humilde. Lo contamos como privilegio tener la oportunidad de oirle predicar sobre un tema muy pegado a su corazon como al nuestro.
El seminario esta yendo bien. Tenemos seis alumnos, y una mas se inscribirá el proximo semestre. Dos son Sordos. Ha sido dificil para ellos porque no bajamos nuestro nivele academico simplemente porque son sordos. Sordo u oyente, si no pueden cumplir estudios a un nivel de seminario, tenemos un programa maravillosa de Instituto Biblico que pueden estudiar.
Estamos orando por nuestra siguiente misión que deseamos comenzar en un area llamado José Galvez. Por favor ore que estemos sensibles a la direcion y tiempo de Dios. Por el momento estamos orando y preparando; y estariamos honrados si ustedes oraran tambien con nosotros.
El colegio Cristiano esta en pleno clases y tenemos varios nuevos alumnos en los cuales invertir. El colegio celebró su 43o anniversario el 6 de Junio. Agradezco a Dios por los maestros y trabajadores dedicados quienes Dios nos ha dado durante esos años. Muchos niños Sordos y sus padres han recibido a Cristo por medio de este ministerio. La communidad entera de Sordos en el Perú se ha benificiado en gran manera como resultado de nuestros años de servicio y enseñanza. El gobierno ahora tiene un colegio piloto basado mayormente en nuestro modelo educativo.
Informes de la Familia
Hemos disfrutado tener a James en casa otra vez por unas semanas. Él se involucró inmediatamente para ayudar en cualquier área que se le necesita. Es bonito tener a toda la familia junta. Pudimos actualizar la foto familiar.
En Mayo, Lisa y yo celebramos nuestro 25o aniversario. Que bendición es haber llegado a este punto de la vida de casada. No hicimos una celebración grande porque estamos ahorrando para viajar a Israel el próximo año con Falls Baptist Church y el Pastor Wayne Van Gelderen Jr. He podido visitar a Israel dos veces en años pasados y ahora, Dios mediante, podre llevar a mi esposa por primera vez.
Julianne está siendo cortejada a un hombre maravilloso llamado Frank Miller de Labelle, FL. Fui el pastor asistente en su iglesia por unos años abajo el liderazgo de su padre Bob Miller antes de ir al campo misionero. Es un buen joven dedicado al Señor y sirviendo fielmente en su iglesia. Nuestras familias continúan orando por ellos en este viaje bíblico de asegurar la voluntad de Dios mientras buscan glorificar a Dios en este proceso de cortejo para el matrimonio.
Joseph continúa siendo de bendición; él trabaja duro en el colegio como maestro e es igualmente dedicado a la nueva obra en Tablada. Está muy involucrado. Estamos orando por el tiempo adecuado cuando él pueda ir de deputación para recoger apoyo como misionero de tiempo completo, y ya no como estudiante.
El resto de la familia está bien, están creciendo y madurando. Jared tiene unas decisiones importantes que hacer en cuanto a su futuro, entonces por favor ore que él esté abierto a lo que el Señor quiera para su vida.
Gracias una vez más por su fiel apoyo y cuidado de nuestra familia y Ministerios Efata. Por favor ore por la provisión financiera de Dios. Sabemos que es difícil para todos. También sabemos que Dios está completamente en control y tiene los recursos que necesitamos conforme a Su voluntad.
Que Dios le bendiga,
Hno. Joel & Lisa,
Joseph, Julianne, James, Jared, Judson,
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
Jun 15, 2013 | Prayer Letters
Dear Friends and Family,
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1 Timothy 1
These past two months have been very busy in many ways at Efata Ministries. We rejoice in what the Lord is doing in and through our service here in Peru. I am thankful to God that He has counted me faithful in putting me in the ministry.
Ministry News
The new mission work in Tablada is doing great. We are averaging over 50 every Sunday. We started the work in March and now are looking for another place to meet. The building we are renting is not large enough to house our growth. Please pray for God´s provision in this area.
On May 19th we celebrated the church’s 36th anniversary. That was a wonderful time, with 400 in attendence! Souls were saved, and we rejoice in what the Lord is going to do during this new year of service to Him. It has been wonderful to watch as Deaf and hearing belivers worship together.
The Bible College is going well. We have six students and one more will join next semester. Two are Deaf. It has been difficult for them as we do not lower our academic standards just because they are Deaf. Deaf or hearing, If they are unable to complete college level work then we have a wonderful Bible institute program for them.We are enjoying our annual mission conference June 12th – 16th.
Pastor Luis Ramos from Bible Baptist Church in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico will be our special speaker. What a humble and honorable man of God he is! We count it a privilege to have him speak this year on a theme that is very near to his heart and ours.
We are praying about our next church mission plant in an area called José Galvez. Please pray that we will be sensitive to God´s leading and timing in this matter. We are currently praying and planning so we would be honored if you would pray with us.
The Christian school is in full swing, and we have several new young students to invest into. On June 6th, the school celebrated its 43rd anniversary. I thank God for the dedicated staff and teachers that God has given us over the years. Many deaf children and their parents have been saved through this ministry. The Deaf community in Peru as a whole has greatly benefited from our faithful years of service and teaching. The government now has a pilot school based largely on our education model.
Family News
We enjoyed having James home for a few weeks from College. He just jumps in and helps anywhere he is needed. It is nice to have the whole family together. We were able to update our family picture.
In May, Lisa and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. What a blessing to have arrived at this wonderful milestone of married life. We really did not do much as we are saving for a trip to Israel next year with Falls Baptist Church and Pastor Wayne Van Gelderen, Jr. I have been to Israel twice in years past and now, Lord willing, I will be able to take my wife for the first time.
Julianne is courting a wonderful man named Frank Miller from Labelle, FL. I was the assistant pastor at his church under the leadership of his father Bob Miller for several years before going to the mission field. Frank is a fine young man dedicated to the Lord and serving faithfully in his church. Our families continue to pray for them in this biblical journey of assuring God’s will as they seek to glorify God in this process of courting for marriage.
Joseph continues to be a blessing as he works hard in the school as a teacher and is equally dedicated to the new church plant in Tablada. He has many ministry irons in the fire. We are praying about when the timing would be right for him to go on deputation to raise support to become an full-time official missionary, not just a student missionary.
The rest of the family is doing well and growing and maturing. Jared has some important decisions to make regarding his future, so please pray for him to be open to what the Lord wants for him.
Thank you once again for your faithful support and care for our family and for Efata Ministries. Please pray for God’s provision financially as well. It is hard, as we all know. However, we also know God is fully in control and has the resources we need in according to His will.
God Bless,
Bro. Joe & Lisa,
Joseph, Julianne, James, Jared, Judson,
Joy, John, Joel, Jessica, Jennifer
We had a tremendous day here at Efata Baptist church the 13th of October; our members were encouraged to invite all of their unsaved family to worship God with them. We praise the Lord for being able to minister to over 435 people in the morning service! Please continue to pray for our church as we serve Him here. Please pray especially for Roxana, a new believer. Deciding to be baptized and follow Christ has already cost her and her two small children a great deal. She is trusting Him to provide them now with housing, protection, and sustenance.
Bro. Joe & Lisa,