As usual summer has passed much more rapidly than it should have. :-) When last we wrote to you, we were participating in a planning session with our ABWE missionary colleagues in Lima. This was a wonderful opportunity for Angela and I to get to know several of the missionary families. We were able to share their vision for ministry as we formed a purpose statement and discussed the varied ministries in Lima.

Since then our summer has rapidly filled with summer school, work, and visiting churches. God continues to provide through His people. Our support level is now at 40%! Please pray that we will reach full support by next summer. He is able!

The last two weeks we have enjoyed presenting Peru to children. We participated in a VBS at Northmoreland Baptist Church and then spoke to the kids at Child Evangelism Fellowship’s day camp in Mehoopany, PA. At VBS we had several age groups including the 3-5 year olds. I had forgotten how much energy it takes to work with the little ones! It has been over 10 years since I taught that age in Sunday school! Thankfully Angela is an elementary teacher as well as a nurse – amazing isn’t she! :-) The kids enjoyed hearing about Peru and about the Peruvian boys and girls who are part of God’s family. Praise the Lord for several kids who accepted the Lord as their Savior and became his children that week! We talked about the country, culture, and people of Peru. Most of the kids liked the purple corn “Kool-Aid” we shared with them. Some of them were eager to try a few of the other delicious Peruvian foods we told them about, but we didn’t have any ceviche (raw fish) or cuy (guinea pig) with us.

Each day the boys and girls collected an offering to help a Peruvian church finish and paint their building. The children in VBS raised $300! I just wrote to the Peruvian pastor to share how God provided. We often speak of large sums of money for buildings and property – yet God does not ask for what we do not have. These children have helped to meet a very real need. They have learned they can have a relationship with their brothers and sisters in Peru.

New Email Address

As you may have noticed we sent this email from our new address:
jastone@abweperu.org. The old one (jonofperu@hotmail.com) still works, but the new address will function better. Besides, it represents both our names with the “j” and the “a.” :-) We will maintain this new address as we travel to language school and on to Peru. You shouldn’t have to change it again.

Since we were unable to volunteer for many of the projects proposed during our recent planning sessions in Lima, I have begun working on developing a new website for the ABWE missionaries in coastal Peru. It still needs a lot of work, but look for an announcement about the new site soon.

Please pray . . .

1. For a committed prayer team.
2. For a financial support base.
3. For personal endurance and safety as we travel and for profitable ministry in churches.
4. For diligence, balance, and for us to maintain our priorities.
5. For personal growth – that we would learn exactly what God intends for us to learn through the experiences He is giving us and that He would develop His character in us.

Meetings

8/17/03 Independent Baptist Church. Towanda, PA.
8/18/03 Christian Baptist Church. Sherburne, NY.
8/24/03 Maranatha Baptist Church. Sinking Springs, PA.
9/7/03 Calvary Baptist Church. Athens, PA.
9/14/03 Pleasant View Baptist Church. Falls, PA.

In Him together,