16 Amazing Months in Perú

God has been so very good to us.  During our time in Perú, God blessed in ways that we never thought were possible.  I am so thankful for the opportunity we had to serve and see God work in the manner in which He did.

I have compiled this video presentation as a tribute to what God did during our 16 months in Perú.  I hope it will give you a small glimpse of what God used you to do.  Nothing would have been posssible without your prayers and support.  I hope you will be able to see your investment and be encouraged by what God used you to do.  Thank you so much for your support!

I condensed several times, but the video is still a bit lengthy.  I hope you take the time to watch it and I hope it ministers to you and your church people.  God bless you!

Perú says "Thank You" - Part 3

Thank you for taking the time over the last few days to hear from some of our church people.  I wish each of you could sit down one-on-one with these and many others.  I wish you could communicate with them and get to know them.  I wish you could understand their heart.

I hope these testimonies give you a little glimpse into some of their lives.  I hope you understand the profound difference you have made for so many.  There will be one more video, but this is the third and final testimony I will be sharing with you.  Gianfranco is the son of Miri Sotelo from the first video.  This young man is extremely talented, has an incredible heart, and a bright future.  Please pray for him and the work that God is doing in his life.

Perú says "Thank you" - Part 2

I hope you enjoyed our first post of this little series.  I am truly amazed of the work that God has permitted us to do in Perú.  We have seen hundreds saved and 6 churches started.  However, the most amazing part is to see the lives that God has touched.

Cecilia is one such life.  Cecilia was saved in our very first church service and was the instrument God used to plant in my heart the burden to start our church in San Genaro.  She is our number one soul winner and has one of the strongest desires to learn I have ever seen in a new Christian.  Both she and her family are very close to our hearts.

I hope you enjoy this very brief testimony.  Most importantly, I hope you realize what God has done through you not only in her life, but also in the lives of many others just like her.

Perú says "Thank You" - Part 1

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your investment in and prayers for both our family and our ministry in Perú.  These last 3 months have been very difficult for us.  I am not complaining and do not want to make excuses for the decrease in videos, prayer letters, Facebook posts, blogs, ect.  However, Jessica and I have simply been focusing on determining what God is doing in our lives.  I will say more about this over the next two weeks, but that is not the purpose of this blog.

I began in October to create several videos to show you all that God has done through you in Perú.  I obviously postponed these projects, but wanted to begin sharing them with you now.  Over the next 2 weeks, I wanted to share 3 brief testimonies with you, as well as a one additional video about our ministry.  The people in these testimonies were not only reached by our ministry, but also are helpers and key people in the church we started in San Genaro.  I hope you enjoy these testimonies and understand the great difference you are making in Lima, Perú!

Please continue to pray for Jhonny Farfán, Miri Sotelo, and their family.

Weekly Prayer Update

Weekly Prayer Update

• Ministry Requests

Iglesia Bautista Internacional

Instituto Bautista Internacional

San Gabriel church plant

San Genaro church plant

Surco church plant

8 current in-home Bible studies

• Personal Prayer Requests of our Church People

Ricardo Rivera-   son of Ricardo, needs to be saved and has a serious drinking problem; health of his wife, Juana

Carol Silva-  English teacher in school to be saved and come to church; opportunity to witness to her friends; salvation for her friend Mery; salvation of her new friend Ena

Gianfranco Silva-   God's help as he witnesses to his friends in school; unsaved family

Flor Moran-   improved relationship with husband, her daughter Luana, and wisdom and provision for some important decisions and family issues

Nicol Hurtado-   uncle Cristiano has heart trouble and is not saved; father to come to church

Alison Huamani-   her husband to be saved and to come to church

Maribel Oré-   salvation for her dad Fausto, as well as Cristal and Margot; health of her sister; Demetria; friend Gustavo for salvation; salvation of Carmen Melgar and Maria Elena Cuba; salvation of Elizabeth Dávila

Nida Espinoza-   health and salvation of her dad Fausto; Arnol Rios to grow spiritually and become more involved in church; she is battling epilepsy

Renzo Silva-   studies in seminary

Cecilia Fabián-   spiritual growth of her brothers Julio and Cesar; salvation for the family of her co-worker Milagros; situation with her current employer; uncle Marlon to be saved; for her aunt Marisol to grow spiritually and be faithful to church

José León-   family to be involved in church and grow in Christ; starting a new teen program for our young people in San Genaro

Berta Huila-   salvation for her son Luis

Nancy Castillo-   undergoing therapy because of a stroke

Maryori León-   health and recovery; health of her newborn baby

Miry Sotelo-   health of her mom, Edelmira, and also for her salvation

Jhonny Farfán-   health of his mom Dora and his personal health; for 2 new Bible studies he will be starting this week

Fortunata Yaranga-   pray for her health and her newborn baby; also for salvation and reconciliation with her husband

Cristina Palacios-   salvation for her husband Gustavo

Camila Ferro-  14 month old girl who will undergo heart surgery the end of this month

Jackelin Llalli-   personal spiritual growth; her mother is in the hospital with 2 blood clots in her leg

Melena Vásquez-   health and mental issues

Dámaris Farfán-   adjustment in her new school; salvation of her friends especially Angela

Marisol Ñaupari-   daughter Tania to come to church; spiritual growth

Juan Francisco-   for his family to know God and become involved in church, Katy, Sonia, Mario

Anita Roque-   growth for his children’s class; special opportunity her husband is waiting for with his job; her mom, Esperanza, for her health and to draw close to God and to her family

Miriam Ramirez-   her mom, Nancy, and siblings Brayan and Katy to return to church

Beto and Carmen-   6 year-old daughter has a malignant tumor in her head

Soledad Ferro-   health and salvation of her husband

• Team San Genaro

Junior and Jessica Martin

Carlos Alvites, Ana, Alexandra, Lucas

Miri Sotelo, Gianfranco, Carol

Cecilia Fabián

Miriam Ramirez

Jhonny and Dámaris Farfán

• Our Team

Dan Hubbard, Christy, Timo, Zach, Ivana, Joshua, Luke

Zach Foust, Karin, Zach, Caleb, Logan

Junior and Jessica Martin

Daniel and Heather Kokubun

Abraham Avila, Fabiola, Marco, Leilani, Joakin

Ezequiel Martinez, Chrystal, Priscila, Ezequiel

Mark Rader, Sarah, Savannah, Paul, and baby number 3

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”   -1 John 5:14

Weekly Prayer Update

Weekly Prayer Update

• Ministry Requests

Iglesia Bautista Internacional

Instituto Bautista Internacional

San Gabriel church plant

San Genaro church plant

Surco church plant

Chanchería Bible study-   converting to a church over the next few weeks

San Genaro 2 Bible study-   converting to a church over the next few weeks

Current in-home Bible studies

• Personal Prayer Requests of our Church People

Ricardo Rivera-   son of Ricardo, needs to be saved and has a serious drinking problem; health of his wife, Juana

Carol Silva-  English teacher in school to be saved and come to church; opportunity to witness to her friends; salvation for her friend Mery; salvation of her new friend Ena

Gianfranco Silva-   God's help as he witnesses to his friends in school; unsaved family

Flor Moran-   improved relationship with husband, her daughter Luana, and wisdom and provision for some important decisions and family issues

Nicol Hurtado-   uncle Cristiano has heart trouble and is not saved; father to come to church

Alison Huamani-   her husband to be saved and to come to church

Maribel Oré-   salvation for her dad Fausto, as well as Cristal and Margot; health of her sister; Demetria; friend Gustavo for salvation; salvation of Carmen Melgar and Maria Elena Cuba; salvation of Elizabeth Dávila

Nida Espinoza-   health and salvation of her dad Fausto; Arnol Rios to grow spiritually and become more involved in church

Renzo Silva-   studies in seminary

Cecilia Fabián-   spiritual growth of her brothers Julio and Cesar; salvation for the family of her co-worker Milagros; situation with her current employer; uncle Marlon to be saved

José León-   family to be involved in church and grow in Christ

Berta Huila-   salvation for her son Luis

Nancy Castillo-   undergoing therapy because of a stroke

Maryori León-   health and recovery; health of her newborn baby

Miry Sotelo-   health of her mom, Edelmira, and also for her salvation

Jhonny Farfán-   health of his mom Dora; delicate family situation 

Fortunata Yaranga-   pray for her health and her newborn baby; also for salvation and reconciliation with her husband

Cristina Palacios-   salvation for her husband Gustavo

Camila Ferro-  14 month old girl who will undergo heart surgery the end of this month

Jackelin Llalli-   personal spiritual growth; her mother is in the hospital with 2 blood clots in her leg

Melena Vásquez-   health and mental issues

Dámaris Farfán-   adjustment in her new school; salvation of her friends especially Angela

Marisol Ñaupari-   daughter Tania to come to church; spiritual growth

Juan Francisco-   for his family to know God and become involved in church, Katy, Sonia, Mario

Anita Roque-   growth for his children’s class; special opportunity her husband is waiting for with his job; her mom, Esperanza, for her health and to draw close to God and to her family

• Team San Genaro

Junior and Jessica Martin

Carlos Alvites, Ana, Alexandra, Lucas

Miri Sotelo, Gianfranco, Carol

Cecilia Fabián

Miriam Ramirez

Jhonny and Dámaris Farfán

• Our Team

Dan Hubbard, Christy, Timo, Zach, Ivana, Joshua, Luke

Zach Foust, Karin, Zach, Caleb, Logan

Junior and Jessica Martin

Daniel and Heather Kokubun

Abraham Avila, Fabiola, Marco, Leilani, Joakin

Ezequiel Martinez, Chrystal, Priscila, Ezequiel

Mark Rader, Sarah, Savannah, Paul, and baby number 3

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”   -Mark 11:24

Weekly Prayer Update

Weekly Prayer Update

• Ministry Requests

Iglesia Bautista Internacional

Instituto Bautista Internacional

San Gabriel church plant

San Genaro church plant

Surco church plant

8 current in-home Bible studies

• Personal Prayer Requests of our Church People

Ricardo Rivera-   son of Ricardo, needs to be saved and has a serious drinking problem; health of his wife, Juana

Carol Silva-  English teacher in school to be saved and come to church; opportunity to witness to her friends; salvation for her friend Mery; salvation of her new friend Ena

Gianfranco Silva-   God's help as he witnesses to his friends in school; unsaved family

Flor Moran-   improved relationship with husband, her daughter Luana, and wisdom and provision for some important decisions and family issues

Nicol Hurtado-   uncle Cristiano has heart trouble and is not saved; father to come to church

Alison Huamani-   her husband to be saved and to come to church

Maribel Oré-   salvation for her dad Fausto, as well as Cristal and Margot; health of her sister; Demetria; friend Gustavo for salvation; salvation of Carmen Melgar and Maria Elena Cuba; salvation of Elizabeth Dávila

Nida Espinoza-   health and salvation of her dad Fausto; Arnol Rios to grow spiritually and become more involved in church

Renzo Silva-   studies in seminary

Cecilia Fabián-   spiritual growth of her brothers Julio and Cesar; salvation for the family of her co-worker Milagros; situation with her current employer

Kenly Bendezú-   cousins Norma and José are not saved

Felicita Cárdenas-   salvation of her adult sons, Jose, Marco, and Pierre

José León-   family to be involved in church and grow in Christ

Berta Huila-   salvation for her son Luis

Vicentina Ecapa-   for her adult children to come to church

Nancy Castillo-   undergoing therapy because of a stroke

Margarita Puma-   for her husband to be saved and come to church

Maryori León-   health and recovery; gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday

Miry Sotelo-   health of her mom, Edelmira, and also for her salvation

Jhonny Farfán-   health of his mom Dora; delicate family situation 

Lucia Curo-   recovery and health and newborn baby

Fortunata Yaranga-   pray for her health and her newborn baby; also for salvation and reconciliation with her husband

Cristina Palacios-   salvation for her husband Gustavo

Camila Ferro-  14 month old girl who will undergo heart surgery the end of this month

Jackelin Llalli-   personal spiritual growth; her mother is in the hospital with 2 blood clots in her leg

Melena Vásquez-   health and mental issues

Dámaris Farfán-   adjustment in her new school; salvation of her friends

• Team San Genaro

Junior and Jessica Martin

Carlos Alvites, Ana, Alexandra, Lucas

Miri Sotelo, Gianfranco, Carol

Cecilia Fabián

Miriam Ramirez

Jhonny and Dámaris Farfán

• Our Team

Dan Hubbard, Christy, Timo, Zach, Ivana, Joshua, Luke

Zach Foust, Karin, Zach, Caleb, Logan

Junior and Jessica Martin

Daniel and Heather Kokubun

Abraham Avila, Fabiola, Marco, Leilani, Joakin

Ezequiel Martinez, Chrystal, Priscila, Ezequiel

Mark Rader, Sarah, Savannah, Paul, and baby number 3

“Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;”   -Psalm 88:2 

August Prayer Letter

Dear Praying Friends,       

                                                                                                                   

I opened my eyes, and there they were!  Even after all my years in FBC Hammond, I have never been able to adjust to “Spanish time.”  Our people are so much better than they were in the beginning.  Now most of them arrive before the preaching starts!  Two Saturday nights ago was no exception.  We seemed to be especially low as I was making announcements.  I had just recognized visitors and decided to pray for a special prayer request.  Apparently, as I was praying, our entire church came in!  I opened my eyes to a full house and several visitors.  We had our highest attendance to date, with 58 in church and 11 saved!

God has blessed our San Genaro church with several new families this last month.  I am excited for what the future holds.  This last Friday was a holiday, Santa Rosa Day.  Since most of our people had the day off, we decided to have a big lunch at our church;  31 of our people came and helped us devour 7 pollos con papas and ensalada!  We sang some choruses and  had a question-and-answer time, and then I took a few minutes to share my vision for the future of our church. Please continue to pray for our young church.  God has blessed us with some great people, and I know God has big plans for us.

God is blessing in all of our churches as well.  Our church plants in San Gabriel and Surco are growing steadily.  Two of our Bible studies are also rapidly nearing the process of being converted into churches. Please pray for both these areas, Chanchería and San Genaro II.  Both of these studies have enormous potential.  Of course, our biggest need is men.  Please pray that God will help us to have men ready to help start these churches in the coming months.

Our main church continues to thrive.  We have been averaging well over 100 in both of our Sunday services.  Many new families have begun attending, and our Saturday soul-winning meeting is growing as well.  It has been very exciting to see our people learn to win souls. God blesses soul winning!  Through soul winning and public services, we were able to see 143 people accept Christ as Saviour this last month.   

As I stated earlier, our greatest need is always men, men with the desire and the knowledge to help us do what God has put us here to do.  Every day we are reminded of the great need here, opportunities that are before us, and yet the limits that we have because of manpower.  Recently,one of our men, Jhon, took a trip to Jauja, a city five hours away.  He went for the purpose of witnessing to his family.  In three days he was able to lead 24 of his friends and family to Christ!  The sad part is that there is no good Baptist church to which we can send them.  We could start a church there tomorrow . . . but we don’t have a man ready whom we could send. 

The same could be said for Ayacucho.  Many of you have read much about our faithful church lady Cecilia.  At the beginning of this month, she went to Ayacucho, a large city eight hours away.  She went to witness to the family of her stepfather.  She was there for just over a week and won 51 people to Christ.  She e-mailed me a list of the names and phone numbers of all 51 people so we could start a church there.  I would love to . . . and we could tomorrow . . . if there were someone we could send.

Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.  God has blessed our ministry here in amazing ways.  This would not be possible without each of you.  Please continue to pray.  Our ministry is still very young, and God is opening many doors for us.  Pray that we will be able to find, win, and train the people who can help us reach Perú for Christ.

Your ambassadors to Perú,

Junior and Jessica Martin

Romans 9:3