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