JUNE-AUGUST

June:
Rachel and I had the privilege of spending a few days with friends touring Cusco in early June. Then Rachel returned to the States and I returned to Iquitos to continue the work with several mission trips that came in from the States. Our purpose this summer was to minister to the river villages with whom we regularly work.

June 22-25, eight villages on the Amazon River came together for a youth camp. We expected 60 youth and double that number showed up! God’s grace is great! Eighteen Americans were there to help with the program, teaching, evangelizing, and organizing friendly competitions with the youth. God showed Himself as our Provider, as we only had enough food for 100 people, but He multiplied the food and there was enough for everyone. What most impressed me was the hunger that the youth had to learn the Word of God; they consumed the teachings, on leadership, evangelism, and the importance of daily quiet time with God. Each evening, the “church” (there is not yet a building) came together with the youth for ministration. The time of prayer and spiritual healing was spectacular, because the young people were challenged to change, and they left greatly impacted. At the end of the camp, they told me, “This was the first time we have experienced something like this. Now we are eager to follow and obey God and we commit to be forever faithful to Him!”

June 26-27, I led the same team to the village Florido, one hour from Iquitos, where we worked with children in the day and in the evenings had evangelistic services. The first day, the children’s team taught “Jesus, the Obedient Son” and at the first evening service, 17 people accepted Christ. The second day, part of the team went to another village, a 15-minute walk away, called Arenales. The villagers are the indigenous Witotos. It was the first time we had been to this village. We put in a well for them. Some are Christians, and they asked us to come back to evangelize the village. This is an open door to be able to return to preach to them the Good News! The other part of the team that stayed in Florido taught the children and visited the villagers inviting them to the service that evening, which included showing a Christian movie. Nine people accepted Christ and 29 rededicated their lives to Him.

July:
The children’s clubs continue on the weekends and I was able to supervise them when I was in town. But I spent the majority of the month in the river.

July 7-14, I led a large American team of mostly teenagers on a week-long trip on the Momon River. July 7, we went to San Antonio, a village that we often visit, two hours from Iquitos. We spent the afternoon teaching a lesson to the children and inviting the small village—50 adults and 23 children—to an evangelistic service that evening. Eighty percent of the village was present that evening, when we presented a Christian movie. It is always refreshing to see visit this community and see them growing in their faith.

From San Antonio, we continued five hours up the river to Punto Alegre, another one of our regularly-visited villages, with a population of 200. (It’s where our favorite three-year-old friend Abed is from.) Our intention was to use a new strategy to reach the unsaved: a futbol championship. In Peru, futbol always attracts a lot of people, and thank the Lord, it worked! Eleven villages participated and many people came. The church was overflowing in the evening services. In total, there were 60 salvations and 26 rededications! The American children’s team worked every afternoon with 60-80 kids, teaching about respect, obedience, love, and prayer. I helped out with the games, crafts, memorization of verses, and songs. The futbol games were well-organized and harmonious and the players were good sportsmen. Only in the final game did a problem arise from the desire to win, but thank the Lord it was quickly resolved. Every team received a small prize for participating and the winning team won jerseys and soccer balls.

July 17-20, I worked with another American team, this time within Iquitos, hosted by a local church. We ministered in the streets of one barrio (neighborhood), sharing the Gospel and showing evangelistic movies.

August:
My team has dedicated this month to traveling to our villages (this past week we went to San Antonio and Gallito, and next week we go to Arenales and Bononaje) to follow up on the church and new believers, as well as to see how their wells are working and to fix any problems.

Last month, Rachel and I prayed and talked about my coming to the States. Due to health reasons, Rachel decided that she should stay in Kentucky for several months. So she offered to help me fulfill my life-long dream of attending Christ for the Nations Bible Institute in Dallas, Texas. After sending my application and pastor’s reference, I was accepted and was sent the paperwork for the student visa. My interview at the embassy in Lima, Peru, is August 13, 7:30 AM. This is my 25th birthday, so I hope that they “gift” me with a visa! If I am granted a visa, I must return to Iquitos for additional paper work and to pack and would arrive in the States a week later. School begins August 18, and the last day I can arrive is August 20, so I am pressed for time. But with all the delays in paperwork, if this works out, it will be only because it is God’s will.

Financial Needs:
The cost of the paperwork (and round-trip flight to Lima) thus far just to get the interview has been $500. Miraculously, I was awarded a $3,400 tuition scholarship, but the cost for the school year will still be $7,700 (room and board, books, and other fees), $1500 for food, and $1500 for airfare. If you would like to help Rachel and me with these costs, please contact Rachel or send a tax-deductible donation to:

WORDSOWER INTERNATIONAL
PO BOX 3215
NAMPA, IDAHO 83686

Please include on a Post-it Note that the donation is for Josué from Peru. I am also in need of monthly supporters. Rachel and I have agreed to send $100/ month to help one of our children’s clubs in Iquitos continue going strong while we are away.
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Praises:
God blessed the river work this summer and kept the Americans healthy.
My family’s house has a new roof and cement floor, so I don’t have to worry about their physical well-being so much.
I am healthy.
Rachel is recovering from her surgery.

Prayer Requests:
My spiritual life.
Spiritual growth for the new believers and the churches in Iquitos and the villages.
My relationship with Rachel—this time without her has been difficult for me as I miss her a lot. Pray that God helps us serve Him better as a couple and that He guides our next steps.
My interview at the embassy on August 13. Pray for favor from the person who interviews me—that God will touch his heart and give me the visa.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support. May God bless you.