Hello,
Let me start off my letter by updating you regarding my long-term visa. Upon returning from my brief trip to the States, I was given 30 days to submit my visa application. That included several steps which took me in a number of different directions including to the Interpol and Immigrations offices. Thankfully, we (my lawyer and I) got all the paperwork and interviews completed and submitted two days before the deadline. Immigrations said it would take 30-60 days to process the application, and praise God we heard back just last week that my visa was approved. Now I only need to make an appointment to go pick up the ID. Thank you all for your your prayers regarding my visa.
Since my last letter I have been given several new opportunities to regularly teach the Bible, and I am loving it. Currently I am still teaching my Wednesday night kids’ class and monthly Sunday junior church, but now I am also teaching a kids’ Bible club Thursday afternoons in the neighboring city of Manchay as well as teaching two chapel sessions each Friday one for the 3rd – 4th grades and the other for the 5th – 6th grades at New Life Christian School.
In our chapel sessions we have been focusing on the big theme of, “one another,” talking first about how to be a member of the body of Christ, what that means, and then how we should treat others within that body, (authorities, friendships, forgiveness, our words, kindness, etc.).
At the beginning of September I began helping with the kids’ Bible club in Manchay. The week after I began helping, we (New Life Baptist Church) also began a women’s Bible study that meets at the same time, so the structure, dynamic and even age group of the children’s program has shifted. Currently on one side of a community hall each week I teach a group of 20-25 kids ranging from 2-12 years old for about an hour.
While it is a big group to handle on my own, I love each and every one of them. We have spent time talking about prayer, our words, and obedience, but my favorite topic has been talking about the treasures of God. I have a small wooden treasure chest that I brought to class one day. I taught a lesson about why God created humans as well as our purpose and value to God. At the end of the lesson I let the kids open the treasure chest to see some of God’s treasures. They opened the chest and you could see the wonder on their faces as they discovered pictures of each one of them. (While I love it when new kids come, God blessed that day in that I had a picture of every single child who attended.) Three children got saved that day, but I also began to see a shift in several of the kids in how they listened and responded in future classes. I have a group that has gotten so excited about memorizing the treasures in God’s Word, they have started the Bible memory program I wrote last year for the kids at the children’s home. They are quickly memorizing verses and each week I am scrambling to adapt the program to work in that context. Each and every one of the kids in Manchay are God’s treasures, but they are mine too.
While I have seen God do some wonderful things in Manchay, the Bible club has had its share of difficulties in the last 2 months as well. I beg of you for your prayers and help in a few areas:
1) I need help. A few young women have expressed a desire to help with this group, but haven’t been able to come yet. Please pray God provides me with some help, especially as the number of 2-4 years olds continually increases. (It’s a wonderful blessing, because those are the young ones whose mothers are attending the women’s study, but it brings another dynamic with which I need help.)
2) We no longer have enough tables and chairs for everyone. Kids are sitting on each others laps and taking turns at the tables when it is time to use them. I am looking to raise about $500-$600 for 2 collapsable tables and 16 sturdy chairs.
3) Transportation back and forth from the Bible studies has become a bit difficult, especially as we have supplies to carry back and forth each week. I am now ready to purchase a vehicle here in Peru to help with this ministry and a few others. I am keeping and eye out for a gently used vehicle I can buy from missionaries going on furlough or another similar situation, but those aren’t always frequently available. Currently I am looking to raise about $8,000 towards this vehicle, and praying God would bring a good vehicle to my attention. Please, however you can pray or help would be greatly, greatly appreciated.
Once again, thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. God shows me every day just how small and weak I am without them, but also shows me how powerful He is through them. Thank you.
~Pam Drout~