Pam Drout

Hello Everyone!

            Sometime in October I was taking part in a Bible study with a group of friends and we were talking about ministering to others.  We had been talking about some of the hinderances in ministry I think and one person commented that we must remember we aren’t in a battle against physical circumstances, but it is a spiritual battle.  It’s one of those things we all know and consider, but that day it struck me as something I needed to focus on.   The topic came up again in other conversations that week, or in books I was reading, or in other ways – and I couldn’t get it out of my head.  

            The last time that I was in the U.S. I had bought several Bible studies for future use including one on the Armor of God.  I dug the workbook out and began to study through it.  As I was studying through it several of the women at the rehab center where I was doing a weekly Bible study and teen girls in the Bible club Manchay began asking about topics clearly related to the spiritual battles we face – things regarding the influence of media in our lives and culture, the influences that different substances have on our bodies and minds, and how to discern truth.   It was clear to me that studying the spiritual battles we face and the armor of God would be helpful in both situations, so through November, December and January we did just that.  

Through our studies there were a couple of ladies who accepted Christ as Savior – recognizing the price of their sin and need of a Savior.  Several others grew in incredible ways; some learning that just as counterfeit money looks like the real thing and not Monopoly money, the lies of Satan will look like truth or will look good and not like outright lies.  Two of the ladies began questioning some of the Buddhist teachings they were being taught at the rehab center and chose to work with a trained Christian psychologist instead (and are doing well).  

            The topic of spiritual battles and the armor of God became very real to me in other ways throughout the last few months as well.  Throughout November and December I was asked to fill in for the last two months of the school year for a teacher in our school who needed to leave.  I was going non-stop each day from 4am until 10pm between teaching and preparing lessons as well as continuing to teach the Bible 6 times a week in different Bible studies and my other responsibilities in the orphanage and my own home.   Throughout November and December I faced battles several battles – from managing expectations (my own as well as those of others), motivation, drive, and exhaustion.   By the end of December when the school year was over my brain shut down.  

            I begged God throughout that time for the energy and focus to study and teach my Bible studies (which had been reduced to 4 a week due to ministries combining for summer break) and He was gracious in giving the ability to, but the moments in between I couldn’t focus on anything.  Reading my Bible was hard. Praying was hard.  I kept at it, but it was hard.  I share this with you because you are my “supporters” – my support, I want you to know I am not a machine and I tire out, but God is gracious and gave me the rest I needed through January to jump back into the battle fully charged.

            But – the theme of the spiritual battle didn’t end.   In February a friend of mine called asking if I would come to his church and help them do VBS, the theme – Christ is my superhero.  He gave me the topics of lessons he wanted, and so the last full week of February I spent my time with kids in another sector of Manchay, several miles from where my Bible club is, talking about the villains we battle in this life including loneliness, anger and fear, and how Christ is always willing to help us when we call upon Him – Cristo Ayudame!  (Christ Help me!)

            The church was under construction so VBS was held a few miles away where the church has been temporarily meeting for awhile.  Because of that the majority of the kids who came were from the neighborhood and were not part of their church or any church.   We fought battles with loud traffic and music, but at the end of the week we saw 14 kids and 2 moms accept Christ as Savior.  A few of the kids showed up for church the next Sunday.

            Thank you all so much for your patience as it has been 4 months since my last news/prayer letter.  Thank you for your continual support and prayers, they really do make a difference.  Please continue praying as next week I travel to the US for a short furlough to update some of the supporting churches I haven’t been to in six years and visit with family.   Be praying also for the rehab center ministry specifically.   They moved locations a few weeks ago to an area over an hour away and we are working to figure out a way to continue working with them.  It is a ministry that has been so very close to my heart and while maybe God only had me in their lives for a short time and a specific purpose, I would still love to continue sharing God’s Word with them.  Thank you.

Greetings!

A few days ago I showed up to teach a Bible study and I found myself helping 2 ladies corral an

escaped horse first. (I found out later there are pictures!) I didn’t have to help, in fact 15 other women

stood by and watched, but I did it to continue strengthening my relationship with these women.

The whole scenario has caused me to stop and think of the unexpected, unanticipated, or just plain

crazy things that people will do just to minister, serve, or help in some way. I looked back over my journal

of events from the last two months and just smiled – and have chosen to share a few.

I think the biggest, “unexpected,” for me has been teaching English. I keep busy enough with the

Bible classes I teach (including studying, preparing activities, learning Spanish songs, etc.), errands for the

children’s home, and investing time with the kids at the home and the church that I purposely chose, for

now, not to teach English. I get 2-3 requests a week, some from serious students and others not so

serious, but teaching English isn’t really a passion or focus of mine. *(Disclaimer – I don’t believe it is

wrong or a waste of time. It is often a great ministry opportunity and opens many doors.)

But – I have a Bible study for teen girls in Manchay on Saturday mornings from 11:00-12:00. Ashley,

a 16 year-old young lady with cerebral palsy has started coming regularly over the last few months and

because of issues with mobility on the dirt hills with her wheelchair, she has to wait for someone to come

and take her home. Often she is with me until 12:45 and so we have started working on English. Her

pronunciation is amazing and she learns very quickly. We were talking the other week about a possible

future for her in teaching English via Zoom, or interpreting via the internet (which is done frequently now in

medical situations) and she began to cry. To know she has a skill to possibly develop and use to support

herself in the future has made a big difference in her outlook and motivation to continue homeschooling.

Working with Ashley caused me to stop and think through an order of what to teach, or different

topics to teach until she is capable of doing accredited classes. Little did I know, (pssst – secret – God

knew), that partway through October the English teacher at our Christian school would leave unexpectedly

and I would be asked to fill in and teach 11 grades, 25 classes a week, for the last two months of the

school year. (With one days notice and no curriculum.). Sometimes we find ourselves doing unexpected

things.

I have a list of several more; from driving friends to the ER, in an area I’ve never been, in the middle

of the night, to substituting as “family” for a few ladies during Family Day at the women’s rehab center. But

I want to tell you about a few huge blessings that have happened over the last two months as well.

• My visa was renewed for another year.

• A teen in my Bible study told me she wants to teach the Bible one day like I do.

• I got to share the gospel with a mom during parent’s meeting at the school and she accepted Christ as

her Savior.

• Our mask laws, vaccine laws, and travel restrictions were lifted.

• We’ve seen 4 kids from the children’s home placed with families in the last few months.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, support, and friendship. They mean so much to

me and none of this would be possible without them. Please continue praying as I work to plan my

upcoming furlough next year. I will be working on scheduling as well as trying to find a vehicle to use for a

few months. I also beg your prayers for my energy and wisdom over the next few months as I continue

with my regular ministries and responsibilities but continue to cover the English classes in our Christian

school as well. Thank you so much.

Hello!
Let’s jump right into it! July and August have full of NEW! New ministry opportunities, new friends, new kids, new plans and some new stuff (but also a lot of the “older” as well).

July started off with an opportunity to test my Spanish in a way I hadn’t before. A friend of mine from a camp where we worked years ago came to Peru as part of a medical missions team, and I got the opportunity to interpret for several of the doctors and medics and well as fill in here and there on the evangelism team for the three days they were in Manchay. It was a wonderful chance to gauge my Spanish abilities, and stretch them (and myself) in new ways. It has also been a wonderful reminder of what it is like to not be my own. Years ago I looked at one of our summer interpreters here at the orphanage and told her, “thank you for giving up your voice this summer to be the voice of others.” There were a few times in conversations I found myself wanting to interject something, but had to remember, I wasn’t there to be Pam, but to be the voice of someone else. It’s a small, but powerful illustration of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. There are times the flesh of Pam wants to rise up and do something, but I have to remember I was bought with a price and I am not my own. It was a wonderful reminder, but the 3 days were also encouraging in letting me know I am doing well in comprehending and communicating in Spanish (in areas of medicine, directions, and the gospel), but also to see several thousand faces come through and be helped in areas physical and spiritual in such a short time was exhilarating. I was very much encouraged.

Throughout the summer I had a few different churches communicate with me in regards to VBS offerings, and I cannot tell you how timely and encouraging that has been as well. One church raised enough money to purchase nice Bibles (study or devotional Bibles as opposed to dollar store style gift Bibles) for my teens in Manchay as well as the older kids in several ministries I work with. Throughout June, July and August, the kids have been memorizing Bible verses and doing devotional pages to show they will use and care for the Bibles, and have been learning a lot. Six of the teens and three kids have earned their Bibles and another ten are set to get theirs in the next two weeks. I have started receiving texts from some of the kids throughout the week with questions regarding what the verses mean, or how a particular person fits into the historical timeline of the Bible – questions I haven’t prompted. It tells me they are exploring the Bible for themselves and willing to reach out for answers.


Another two churches sent me some money to use in any way that was needed, and I cannot express the blessing that those funds have been as well. I began noticing some issues with my car and ended up spending approximately $1520 to replace my tires, windshield, brakes and the majority of my door handles. (They were literally falling off in people’s hands!). While it isn’t always the easiest thing to promote to kids in a VBS, these funds have literally made it possible to travel to a new Bible study that got started a few weeks ago, and made it possible to get in and out of my car without having to climb in from the backseat (because of the inability to open some doors)!

In August I received a message from Mike Kennedy letting me know there was a women’s rehab center wanting someone to come teach a Bible study. The study has been going for three weeks now and has been a huge blessing. A friend of mine I used to disciple is coming with me each week, and we travel about 30 minutes into the middle of nowhere to meet with 20 ladies ranging from 14-50 who struggle with substance abuse or eating disorders. We spend about an hour and a half with them each week, playing games, singing, studying the Bible, and then enjoying a snack. We have so far been studying what it means to give glory to God, to be made in His image, and why we need a Savior. Several have been very responsive to the gospel, others a bit unsure. Please be praying as this ministry is continuing to form that we can be a blessing to the ladies there and above all that they would come to a saving understanding of the gospel.

Approximately every two years I head back to the US to report to 1/2 of my supporting churches. This upcoming March – May I will be back in the US, so please be praying as I try to schedule meetings with churches, places to stay, and figure out transportation. I am looking forward to being able to catch up with so many of you in person! Thank you again for your communication, support, and prayers. They are all so very needed and a big encouragement.

Pam Drout

January – February 2022

Hello Everyone!
An incredibly full summer is coming to an end here in Peru, another school year is beginning, and I praise God that I can say it looks like kids here in Peru will be back in school in person, or semi-in person depending on the space and decision of the administration of each school.

Towards the end of December, we celebrated Christmas at the kid’s Bible club in Manchay, as well as here at New Life Children’s Home. At New Life Children’s Home I was able to fill a stocking with small gifts and goodies for each kid, sharing with them some of the family traditions from my childhood that they don’t have here. In Manchay, we were able to do a chicken dinner with the kids (as well as the ladies’ Bible study), and I was able to give them each a small Christmas gift and introduce them to candy canes. Some of my kids come from families where they cannot afford Christmas or birthday gifts. I have known many adults here who will talk about sometime as an adult being the first time they ever received a gift. I cherish the opportunity to show my kids the joy of receiving a gift and the fact that the gift does not come with conditions because it then gives them more understanding as I talk with them about the gift of God we have in salvation.


Throughout January and February I did a summer Bible-quizzing program with the kids at NLCH each Friday. Two of our older teen guys were made team captains and have been responsible for helping the younger kids and the kids that can’t read learn about the Bible stories from the Life of Christ for quizzing. These young men really stepped into their leadership roles this summer, spending time with the kids on their teams, encouraging them, and figuring out the best ways to help each individual learn and participate. This coming Friday (March 4th) we will have our final quizzing event and then an ice cream party to end the summer. Currently, the kids have been quizzing so well that I have no idea which team will have the most cumulative points for the summer. 


Since school let out in December, I have been running a summer program with the kids in the Bible club in Manchay as well. The kids have poured themselves into learning verses, completing at- home lesson sheets, and participating in everything we do on Thursdays. While I don’t like doing reward- based programs all the time, this is one way I can help the families with some very real needs and show the kids the value of hard work. Coming up on Thursday (March 3rd) the kids will be able to trade in the points they have been earning all summer for much needed school supplies, and then we will do a lesson from John 6.

Over the last few months, I have seen God do some really cool things in the lives of these kids. Two brothers sat down with me and talked with me about a choice they had to make. The municipality offers workshops for kids in their community throughout the summer, and there was a soccer workshop for these boys at the same time as our Bible study. They started out the summer by choosing to go to the workshop. They had one week off in which they came to Bible club. I don’t even remember the lesson I taught that week, but I found out from their sister that because of the lesson they chose to withdraw from soccer and continued coming to Bible club each week thereafter. There is another young man who is six years old and has special needs. He can’t really comprehend any question he is asked, unable to even respond to, “what did you do today,” with a true answer. (He tell you what he is going to do when he goes home.) This young man though can repeat anything someone tells him, and has been able to memorize several verses from the Bible word perfect, and can repeat them just as perfectly weeks later. I’m not sure what God is going to do in his life, but I can’t wait to see.

Last week I had the opportunity to help out the church of a friend here by teaching in their VBS. This is the third chance over the last five years that I’ve had to participate with their teens and adults in serving the kids of their community and I love it. This year the theme was “An Extraordinary Universe,” and we had lessons on being a new creature, obeying God with our decisions, God’s blessings and God’s promises. On the last day we had several kids and a few of the teens who raised a hand acknowledging they weren’t saved, and wanted to talk with someone. Workers spent time talking with each kid, and I know a few accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Some of the youth workers are also following up with the teens who acknowledged they had questions and wanted to talk with someone. I know one of the girls specifically we have been praying for, for a few years.

Please also be praying for two young ladies (ages 12 and 13) that I work with. I know these young ladies are not saved, but I can clearly see God is working on them as their behavior and response to His word has been changing over the last two months. One of these young ladies asked me to explain the gospel to her a few years ago, and asked me if she could get saved. I said of course. She then admitted to someone else (who in turn told me) that it had all been a joke, and sincerely her behavior during class showed it was a joke to her. She would talk all the time during class or in church, not bothering to listen. I began to notice a couple months ago that she started listening closely, and was shushing the kids around her during the lesson so she could listen. Just a few days ago she raised her hand during an invitation, admitting that she wasn’t a Christian, but she still isn’t quite ready to say that she wants to be one. The other young lady is newer to the ministries here, only been coming for about 3 months. Over the last three weeks, any time someone (myself or anyone else) begins to talk about sin or salvation, her head goes down on a the table. Usually the look on her face before it happens isn’t one of disgust or boredom but of discomfort. I haven’t been able to figure out yet if she’s just tired of listening, or God is working on her heart, but I’m praying so much for her. Please be praying with me.

Those are only a few of the things that have been happening around here through summer break. It is such a blessing to see God continue to work in the lives of people here. I was studying the definition and etymology of the word “blessing” recently, learning that it was a gift, words, or actions demonstrating an alliance of peace, or a good relationship between two parties. Basically a friendship. You all continue to bless me through your prayers, your contact and responses to my letters and social media posts, through your and through your support. God blesses me just by being God, but also by continuing to let me serve Him, and allowing me to see the small ways in which He is continually working. 


Thank you so much for your support. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for those who have taken the time to contact me and keep up with me. It is all such an encouragement. Please keep praying as we approach another school year, and as God gives me other opportunities to care for those in need around me by showing His love, and His care (physically and spiritually) and most of all by sharing the gospel with them. I can’t wait to see what He does next!

Pam Drout

Hello Everyone!

A few months ago I was watching a church service online and heard a testimony from a veteran missionary about something he had learned after many years on the field.  I found myself in awe of that missionary for his willingness to be so publicly transparent.  The next day while reading John 3 and a few other passages, God reminded me that when we allow others to see who we really are, then HE can get the glory for the fruit.  He’s such a faithful God, continually reminding me that it is not my personal name that matters but His.

The last several months have been FULL of lessons, learning, small and great victories, friends and answers to very specific prayers.

Visa –  Thank you to all who prayed or encouraged me regarding the annual extension of my visa.   The process ended up going fairly smoothly and everything was approved.  I ask for prayers in advance of next year’s renewal (not just an extension, but a much more involved process) because with the changes the current president has made it may require a trip to the US for some new legal documents and paperwork.  Please pray as I work through those decisions.

Car – Cars have always been a “stressful” issue for me as they often tend to break down in the most inconvenient (and costly) ways and at the worst times.   I began to notice an issue with my car here so we had a mechanic come and look at it.  (Yes, he came to the Home, one blessing of MANY!). As I went to hear the diagnosis I saw my entire engine out of the car, open all over the ground and my heart sunk.  But God.  What would have cost thousands of dollars to fix in the US only cost me about $400 AND the car was ready to drive literally 2 minutes before I needed it for a special event in Manchay.  I did get a flat tire the next morning, but that was also a very easy fix, with wonderful help from the guys who work here at the orphanage, and only $5!

Manchay – Attendance at both the ladies’ Bible study and the kids’ Bible club in Manchay continues to steadily increase.  We had a celebration for the first day spring (big here in Peru), a month late, but wonderful just the same.  The women have been studying through the characteristics of a godly woman, and ended up doing a princess night including electing a queen, a woman actively demonstrating those characteristics.   The kids and I had a pizza party, where they they once again demonstrated their selflessness and caring for their families and I got to spoil them and love on them in a way that they rarely experience… more pizza than they could eat.  Several new kids came that night and have consistently attended since, some having accepted Christ as Savior in the weeks following.  

Please be praying as I consider a few more ways to minister to these kids and their families including devotional materials and other possibilities.   Most of these kids will not receive any gifts for Christmas and their families will struggle to come up with the money for basic school supplies in March.  Two years ago I ran a program in our Bible club where the kids earned points by attending, showing up on time, memorizing verses, participating, etc. and they used those points to “buy” school supplies.  Many felt so proud to be able to help their families in that way and were careful to choose only the more practical, needed items over some of the fun additions.  Funds permitting, I would love to be able to do that again this upcoming summer (end of December through first of March).

More – There is so much more to tell, and so little space.  My fridge has been acting up for a few months but God keeps it going.  I had been praying about a specific lesson series for my Sunday AM class but was very unsure, and the week prior to the new series God used a 6-year old in the class to reassure me – during the activity time he asked questions for 10 minutes non-stop regarding that exact topic.  God gave me the opportunity to begin learning Peruvian Sign Language from a visiting missions team and then a way to continue studying after they leave.  I was provided with some much needed space that I will be able to use for ministry storage, piano lessons, discipleship, and as a gathering place for small groups of people, etc.  I’m looking forward to slowly but surely put it all together.   I’ve begun teaching a Sunday night kids class at the church again and the intelligent questions the kids ask every week keep me on my toes and continually studying.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, support, and encouragement.  I LOVE getting to see the small and great things God does all around me – and He uses you all to do them.  Thank You.

Dear Friends,
The last few months, once again, have been a very stark reminder of my two, very different worlds.

February & March

In February and March I finished up my four-month furlough by:
~ visiting and updating several supporting churches in several different states,
~ participating in or leading several virtual and in-person Bible studies,
~ purchasing several items I need or would be helpful in Peru (which aren’t available there),
~ purchasing small gifts for the children of New Life Children’s Home (NLCH),
~ visiting with immediate family (after vaccinations) for the first time in several years,
~ enjoying the snow (sledding!!!) for the last time for a while,
~ navigating the world of travel during COVID; tests, timing, quarantines, closed rest areas, etc., ~ PACKING

There are a lot of other things, big and little, I could include in that list, but it is overwhelming trying to determine what is worth including in a one-page letter.

I do want to specifically thank those of you who were praying regarding the timing and results of the COVID testing I needed to enter Peru. It seemed as though things kept going wrong including the timing of the testing being off, typos (on the lab’s end) on the time of the test on the results page, no one answering phones, needed results never arriving, etc. Upon arrival in Peru I had a document showing a negative result 75 hours before arrival (72 hours or less was required for entry), but the results of the 2nd test I took 68 hours before arrival still had not come in. The lab’s website said the test still hadn’t been processed. (I received them 2 weeks later.) BUT GOD. God worked it out in a way only He could and I am convinced it was because of your prayers. Thank you.

April

I arrived back in Peru the night of March 30th and began my required two-week quarantine. I could see the kids and the workers of New Life Children’s Home, and even talk with them from quite a distance, but two weeks later I finally got to hug them, give them their gifts, and catch up.

I went from snow and sweatshirts to sun, flip-flops, and sunscreen (oh yeah, bug-spray too). I went from being in church services and Bible studies, most like before COVID, back to obligatory curfew all day Sundays, no in person services (legally), and only virtual services. I went rom being outside with no mask and inside where about 70% of people used a mask to being required to use ONE outside and TWO masks with a face shield inside. I went from a world tired of the regulations, ready to get back to normal, where the vaccine (at least in Michigan) was recently available to anyone who wanted it to a world still in the midst of the pandemic, just declared to have an excess death rate 20% higher than the 2nd highest in the world, where vaccines are only available to those 80 or older, and people are leaving the country to get a vaccine then coming back.

Two very different worlds, but the same God, and He gives me opportunities to share the gospel and teach His Word in both worlds. In the last three weeks I’ve started teaching junior church on Sundays at NLCH again, stepped back into helping with bank runs for the Home, started working on weekly lessons to deliver to my kids in Manchay and other areas as soon as is allowed, and spent some time with a friend here in Peru talking through different things we can do and creative ways we can minister here in the coming weeks and months while restrictions are still fairly strict.

In the midst of all that, I celebrated four years here in Peru on April 16th. I cannot celebrate without taking time to remember you all and to thank you. It’s your continued support that has allowed me to live and serve here in Peru. It’s your prayers that give me the strength, boldness, opportunity and encouragement to serve, and to keep serving in both worlds, the US, and Peru. I am nothing without God, but I am also nothing without you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

~Pam Drout ~

Greetings from Peru!

Let me start off by thanking each and every one of you for your concern, encouragement, prayers, and support over the last several months specifically. I continue to see God working in so many different ways, and while He certainly doesn’t need us, it brings me such joy to know that He chooses to involve each of us, each of you in His work when we want to be involved. Thank you for wanting to and choosing to be involved in all He is doing here.

Over the last two months the restrictions in place to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 virus have eased some her in Peru, but not much. I am now able to use my personal vehicle and restaurants are open, as well as malls (with 40% occupancy), but many other restrictions remain in place. All types of social visits/events are still prohibited (even among extended family who don’t live together), including ministry related events. We are also still under a nightly curfew and full lockdown all day on Sundays except for medical workers.The minister of transportation announced a few days ago that the borders would provisionally open to international flights in October, but then the next day the minister of health announced that it wasn’t a sure thing. In the last week no one has actually clarified the situation.

In spite of the uncertainty and restrictions that the COVID-19 virus has brought, God still has plenty for me to do and I am enjoying every minute of it. Currently my days are full of different types of private lessons, studies, translation work, and spending time with the kids at New Life Children’s Home. Each child is so special and to love on them, letting them know they are valuable to me and even more valuable to God is such a joy. I am teaching private lessons in English to several kids three-four times a week each and I currently have five kids taking private music lessons. I am also doing one on one Bible studies with several different kids and adults weekly, some in person and others virtually in Spanish and English. Each Sunday while our older kids are in the Zoom church service with our pastor, I have a junior church lesson at the home with our younger kids.

Several years ago I wrote a twelve-week Bible study for single, college and career age women called, “The Single Priority,” and about two years worth of guided devotional journals (passages and questions), for junior-highers. I am currently editing them for use where owning a Bible isn’t a given, and then translating them into Spanish. A friend of mine here is helping me by checking to make sure the translations make sense!

I am so thankful God continues to give me work to do, people to love and teach, and different ways to plant seeds of the gospel and the love of God in the midst of this changing world, but my joy is still the greatest when I get to be a part of the moment when someone chooses to trust Christ as his/her Savior.

In early August one of the girls in the children’s home came and sat next to me on a bench in the common area and asked, “What is a testimony?” She had been asked to share a testimony with the other kids a few days later but was too embarrassed to admit in front of others that she didn’t know what one was. Normally there are a number of kids playing outside in our common area at any given moment each day, but that day for 1/2 hour no one was around and I got to share the gospel with her uninterrupted. By the end of our conversation she asked me, “Can I do that now? Can I accept that gift now?” with an anticipation in her voice. And accept the gift of salvation she did!

Now for my plea. Please, please keep praying. Please keep encouraging me. Please keep giving. I have seen God do wonders through your involvement and I beg of you not to stop. I wish I could tell you all the stories. I wish I could tell you all I have seen God do, because He does so much and it is so exciting to watch. Thank you so very, very much for you continued involvement.

~Pam Drout ~

Hi Everyone!

Sometime in the middle of May I had an idea for the central theme of this update; I wrote down the single word, “helplessness,” on a notecard and set it to the side for later.  We were at the beginning of our third month of a very strict quarantine.   We had just lost two men very close to the ministries here (the pastor of one of the churches and our bus driver for missions group season), I personally knew or knew of 8 other pastors here in Peru who had Covid-19 and were really struggling, I was seeing physical suffering all around me as families couldn’t afford food or rent, (a few friends who were working but there wasn’t the money to fully pay them for the work they were doing had to move in with other families as they lost their homes), I couldn’t get to Manchay to check on my kids, nor did I have contact with many of the kids from my other ministries, and on top of all that I was watching my hometown flood and then dams break causing more flooding and many people I love dearly lost their homes and/or most of their belongings.  So, I jotted down the word, “helplessness,” as a reminder and kept going.

I look back at that little note now, and it was actually hard at first to figure out exactly why I wrote it.   Yes, the tragedies and situations above all happened within the last two months, (along with several others), but some amazing things have happened as well.  While yes, over the last two month my physical reach has been limited, I cannot imagine applying the term, “helplessness,” to these months at all.

Even though Peru’s strict quarantine continued through May and June, I still had several different opportunities to share the gospel one on one with people.   One of the newer kids in the children’s home came up to me one Sunday after our Bible lesson at the home and started asking questions.   Lots of questions.   Eventually we got around to what makes a person a part of the family of God and through that question I was able to share the gospel with him.  We went through the gospel point by point and he acknowledged his belief of each point, but towards the end of the conversation when I asked if he wanted to accept the gift of salvation for himself, he said he wasn’t ready.   He appeared quite distressed saying he didn’t know if he could know for sure it was all true.   I took him back through each point, and again, he said he believed them, but he wasn’t ready to apply it to himself.  Please be praying for him as he has such a hunger to learn and continues to ask me Bible questions on a daily basis.  

In May and June it was still illegal to use personal vehicles (to help the government in preventing people from going places they weren’t allowed to) so I had a government approved taxi driver taking me to the bank a few towns away when needed.  One day something came up so he called a friend of his to take me instead.  This driver knew nothing about the children’s home or our church so through the plastic sheeting separating us we talked the entire way.   As the conversation continued he began to tell me he believed in God that he believed it didn’t matter how or where he served, worshipped, or learned about God, only that he did; mentioning several places he went which taught very differing things and did not at all teach the gospel including Jehovah’s witness Bible studies and even learning from the Israelitas here in Cieneguilla.

That statement led to a conversation on authority, then God’s authority, God’s Word and then to God’s desires for His followers into the gospel.  He said I had given him a lot to consider and he is still asking questions of a common friend of ours.  I don’t mind planing seeds.   The increase is God’s responsibility and I am more than willing to lay that at His feet.  There were several other times I did get to share the gospel in the last two months, in person and virtually, and see God give the increase, but I mention specifically those situations where your prayers are most needed.

I mentioned earlier about associating the feeling of helplessness with seeing the suffering all around me, the people who are struggling to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.  It is true, Peru is full of suffering right now as people haven’t had the chance to work, and yet somehow I focused on how great the need was discounted the things we were doing to help.   Through the Bags of Hope project Chelene Kennedy started and that many of you have given to as well, we have been able to help more than 650 families with food as they need it.   Some of these families live so far back in-between mountains that the help the government has been offering hasn’t made it to them.  Through other gifts you all have given which were not designated specifically for Bags of Hope or food relief, but for my discretion I have been able to continue helping my families in Manchay as well as a few other people I know with food, but also with other necessities such as warm clothing as winter has begun.   While there is so much more that can be done, because of God’s grace and your giving we are far from helpless.

Please keep praying for our ministries here, and the people of Peru.  Pray that we can be a light in the midst of this very dark time, and that we will be sensitive to God’s leading in where to go and who needs food – spiritually and physically.   Please also be praying as I will have to make decisions regarding a furlough I had planned for late this year and early next year to report at my supporting churches.   Pray that our international borders will open here in Peru and that I will make the right decisions regarding the timing of that furlough.   Please also pray as through the Bags of Hope God has opened my eyes to some new areas in Cieneguilla I am burdened about getting into to minister.   Thank you all. ~ Pam Drout ~