We have had a very busy last few weeks here in Arequipa.
In mid-April, we had our first group come down since we have been here. Several people from Vision Baptist Church were able to make a trip to be a part of the organization of Omega Baptist Church, where Chris Gardner is the pastor. We had a great time visiting with them and learned a lot about starting a church, preparing for groups and missions in general.
Immediately following that, I had the opportunity to travel to Santiago Chile for a week with Trent Cornwell and Jeremy Hall to visit the Holt’s and their ministry there. Trent was the main speaker at a conference at their church and we had a great time with the Holt family. God is doing great things in this ministry and church, and they will be starting two new churches this year. Jason is currently working with several men in the church that are training for ministry. He is doing a great job.
From Santiago, we flew home (for about 45 min) and immediately left again bound for Bolivia. Because of strikes and road blocks, lets just say we had a very interesting ride to the border. Finally we made it to Cochabamba where the White’s are working and getting ready to leave on furlough. We were their at their annual youth conference were Tony Howeth had flown in to preach. We met Chris and David Gardner and David Velke who had arrived the day before. Kevin is also doing an outstanding job, and will be able to see immediate results as he leaves the church to lead itself over the next year.
Going to these places is a real eye opener to not only the need of the gospel around the world, but the need to train leaders within the church. For without leaders, the missionary will be doing everything alone, and you don’t usually get very far that way.
We were able to take a two day trip back to Chile to get the kid’s visas renewed for the duration of our stay in Peru. We we able to take Edgar Galdos, assistant pastor of Omega, with us and we had a great time.
It is amazing to see here, and in other countries the leadership and the friendships that are built within a ministry like this. It really gives a Christian hope that the world can indeed be won for Christ!
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