IBI First Baptism Service

Last Sunday, we had our third baptism service at Iglesia Bautista Internacional in Chorrillos.  We have had a total of 23 baptized in these services.  A fellow teammate helped me put together this video to give you a small taste of what God is doing in the lives of many of our people.  I hope you enjoy this brief video.

September Prayer Letter

Dear Praying Friends,                                                                                                                                  October 8, 2012 

Spring has sprung here on the south side of the equator!  The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining more, and God continues to bless us here in Chorrillos.  September has been an interesting month for us, as well as one full of blessings.  Don’t worry . . . I will try to condense!

A month of achievement.  God granted many victories to us this last month.  The biggest, of course, was our first baptismal service.  I found a local man who constructed a baptistery for us out of fiberglass, and we set it up at the home of one of our church members.  His large backyard was a huge blessing, as we have no space for it at our church. At the conclusion of our Sunday morning service, we relocated everyone over to Paul’s house and baptized 14 people! This was a huge step for so many of church people.  We have since baptized 3 more and have 6 lined up for our next service.  I wish I could tell you each story.  The story of Miri and her children is especially amazing!  Please take a moment to read more about her at this link from my wife’s blog: http://happytrails365.wordpress.com /2012/09/14/faiths-real-heroes/.  

A month of accomplishment.  Another great victory comes from our church people soul winning.  In September, 6 of our Peruvian people led their first soul to Christ!  Amen!  Cecilia has already won 7 people to the Lord.  There is nothing greater than seeing that excitement in their eyes and the hunger they have as they share the Gospel.  Recently 2 of our teen girls, Katty and Esperanza, wanted me to meet one of their friends and talk to her parents about church.  The next Saturday, Jess and I picked both of them up and were then informed we needed to pick up another one of their friends.  We did and then went to make our visit.  When we got to her house, we discovered her parents were not at home, but Katty had already told her she was coming with us.  We took the four of them to lunch, and sitting around the table, I was able to lead both Estefani and Nicole to Christ.  Best of all, the girls set the whole thing up!   

A month of advancement.  Knowing that God has great things in store for us, we are moving forward with the vision God has given us for Peru.  We are currently conducting six Bible studies each week in the homes of our church people.  However, we also realized we had two great opportunities that were waiting for us.  We have two different groups of people that have been coming to our church from two different districts close to Chorrillos:  Surco and Villa Maria del Triunfo.  As these groups continue coming and continue bringing visitors, we realized we needed to start something in their district.  So this week we will be starting a midweek Bible study in each of these districts!  God has brought these families to us for a purpose.  Within time, both of these Bibles studies will evolve into churches!

A month of asking.  I am not so naïve to think that the Devil is oblivious to what God is doing here.  These last two months have truly taught us to pray.  Pray for our people for the growing pains and family pressure that come from being a new Christian.  Please also continue to pray for our space issue.  The church is maxed out in our current location, and if we are going to continue growing, we must get a new building.  I mentioned in our last letter that God had opened a door for us on a new property.  This door has not been shut, but the deal is very close to falling through.  I know that God has a place for us in His timing.  Please pray for patience, wisdom, direction, and, most of all, a permanent home for IBI that can sustain our growth.

A month of addition.  In September we also had our best attendance yet of 92.  This is incredible, especially because we still have not had a big attendance push (due to space).  However, through our church services and Bible studies, we are averaging 116 different people attending our church each week!  God is so good!  We also saw a total of 78 saved last month through our services and personal soul winning.

I never feel as if words are adequate enough to express how grateful we are to each of you.  It is your prayers and financial support that allow us to do everything we do.  How great your rewards will be in Heaven one day!  I hope one day you will be able to see the faces and hear firsthand all the stories of the lives you have touched.  I would especially like to thank the Open Door Baptist Church in California for taking us on for support this last month. 

God bless each of you and thank you again for the privilege of serving on your behalf in Lima, Peru!

Your ambassadors to Peru,

 Junior and Jessica Martin                                                                            

Romans 9:3