Words of Joyful Homecoming
Beyond Words
We could never have imagined endless days of love, blessings, reunions with lifelong friends, fellowship, food, and opportunities to encourage others with the Word. Without return tickets, we probably would have stayed in Peru and basked in the sunshine of His love and that of so many dear friends. We spent our first 33 years as ABWE missionaries in Peru, and after being away for almost 20 years, this felt like a homecoming.
Spanish Words
After 15 years of serving in non-Spanish-speaking countries, we wondered how we would do when instantly submerged in the language. Amazing grace allowed us to chatter away almost as if we had never left! Even preaching in Spanish was a joy and not a trial.
With one day to recuperate from our flight from Harrisburg, PA, to Lima, Peru, I had the privilege of preaching at New Life Baptist Church in Monterrico. The building was packed, and it was encouraging to see how the church had grown under Pastor Salvador Bazan's leadership. “Salva” was on the original church planting team when that church plant was just a dream, and after almost 28 years, he is still faithfully pastoring that church and doing an amazing job.
The following Sunday, I was blessed to preach at another church we helped start in Lima: The New Life Baptist Church in Chacarilla. The building was packed for both services, including the balcony, and after the services, we were surprised to receive a beautiful plaque expressing their gratitude to us as co-founders of the church.
English Words
The Monterrico Christian School (MCS) is an English immersion school where most of the courses from P-4 through 12th grade are taught in English. The school is a ministry of the New Life Baptist Church and functions on the same property. The amazing directors of the school, Nancy Miller and Irma Villacorta, invited Jo Ann and me, along with Jim and Karen Asselin to fly down from the States to participate in the 25th anniversary celebration of the school. As the first teacher, Karen started with 3 students, one of whom was her own son. Today, the number of students is about 250, after rebuilding following the COVID closures. The Asselins and we were at the school every morning all week long, participating in various celebration activities, including speaking in Chapel in English! Jo Ann spoke in the elementary chapel, and I spoke in the upper-grade chapel.
The week of celebration concluded with a huge banquet attended by parents and many former graduates. We were deeply moved to hear the testimonies of school graduates and several parents who expressed gratitude for the strong Christian influence in every course and the high academic standards.
Nine universities in Lima sent certificates to Monterrico Christian School recognizing our students' excellent academic achievements and the school's rigorous curriculum. If you think that Jo Ann and I were happy to experience and be a part of all this, you might be right!
When we started the school, I enrolled in the master’s program in Christian School Administration at Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA. In every course and in the school's philosophy, I learned how to develop a Christian school with faithful adherence to Scripture. Along with Nancy, Irma, and Pastor Salvador, we set the standard, which has not changed in 25 years. To say that we are thankful to the Lord for the wonderful Christian leadership in Monterrico for remaining faithful to God’s Word would be an understatement.
Loving Words
We had many reunions filled with emotion, fellowshipping with missionary friends we worked closely with in these church plants. Our dear friend, Tom Pace (BIMI), is now with the Lord, but we were able to spend some precious time with his wife, Carolyn. Forty years ago, Tom and Carolyn, Jo Ann and I started two churches simultaneously as a team. Neil and Sandy Heim, along with other ABWE missionaries, soon joined us in our team approach to planting churches. Neil is now with the Lord, but it was a huge blessing to be with Sandy Heim, her two sons, and their families.
We will never forget the many meals and times of warm fellowship with our lifelong Peruvian friends. Several of them were part of the church planting team that started the Monterrico Church which was an amazing team of 13, cream of the crop, leaders. Some of those leaders have been, and still are, in full-time Christian ministry as missionaries, pastors, or lay leaders. Many of our lifelong friends were members of these church plants and still faithfully love and serve the Lord. They spoiled us with special gatherings and tons of delicious Peruvian food.
Final Words
The trip to Peru reflected the new ministry that Jo Ann and I are anticipating in the days to come. We are preparing to travel to many other countries to mentor and train men and women in church-planting and church-strengthening ministries. We will emphasize theological training, evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. I plan to complete my master’s degree in biblical studies by December of this year, and then we will have the tools needed, along with our 50-plus years of cross-cultural experience, to help believers carry out the Great Commission.
Finish Line
Last summer and fall, we visited many friends, family, and supporting churches here in the States, and we have now returned from our trip to Peru. Our bathroom scale does not lie about how much I have enjoyed all this “fellowship.”
It turns out that our church here in Pennsylvania is supporting a fantastic ministry of providing wells of water for needy villages in South Asia by participating in the Running Water for the Living Water marathon – the Harrisburg Marathon.
I am now training to be part of a 4-person tag team, and each of us will run 8 miles to complete the marathon. I hope to accomplish two goals, one of which is to raise money to provide clean water and the gospel to help and bless people in South Asia.
If you would like to support me and the Running Water ministry, please click on this link:
Whether or not you are led to help with this personal goal, Jo Ann and I are thankful to every person reading this letter and praying for us as we continue to serve the Lord. Many of you have supported us financially, and still do, and we are grateful.
