Power of Jesus

Dear Friends,
It has been a busy but wonderful time of ministry here in Lima,Peru. Last night we started our 18 day "camp" for Peruvian youth called "Joshua Generation". Youth from all over the city have come to learn more about their faith and then go out and do ministry in their city. Some good news about this...last week we were in a very poor area of the city. First we climbed up a mountain of sand and then knocked on doors to some houses that were just square blocks made of bricks. Some of the houses had a full roof...some did not. We performed and hundreds came out to watch. After we began to talk to them. I was with my friend Ken and we talked to about 20 young men. I was amazed! Once Ken began to talk about sin and how it separates us from God and the consequences that happen when we sin, you could hear a pin drop with these boys. We shared with them about the free gift of salvation through Jesus and they all wanted to pray to accept Jesus into their lives. We then asked them if any of them go to church and they said that they really wanted to go to church but they had no way to get there (no car and no money to pay for a bus). The church we were working with brought a bus back to that area the next day and picked up those boys to bring them to church. Two of those young men have come to join us at "Joshua Generation", YAY! Yesterday our group went back to that place to give them food and other groceries since many of them do not have very much.

So far we have talked to over 2,250 people with about 1,000 praying to accept Jesus as their Savior. I am forever humbled because it really has nothing to do with what we do...we can have a good performance or a bad performance. We can talk like an amazing charismatic speaker or fumble around with our words. It really has nothing to do with us. It is the power of Jesus working in the lives and hearts of these people that we talk to. Many of them tell us "I never come to this park/place, but today I came and now I know that I was sent here by God so I could meet and talk to you."

Friends, if you are struggling in knowing more about Jesus or do not know him, the same spirit that has been working here can come alive in your life too. Our relationship with God transcends bad relationships with Christians or bad teachings at churches...He brings self-worth, value, and LIFE.

Street Children

Sorry...no pictures yet. But some great updates. First, we met up with a Catholic group who went out to give presents to street kids and then we talked to the families about Jesus. We had a great time working with them. And yesterday, after our time on the streets, the street kids followed us back to the church. The church was so happy, because now the kids are going to come back again today, and hopefully for a long time to come.

We are in Peru

After 2 long days of travel - one by bus, one by plane - we have made it to Peru. We do have more internet access here, so I hope to post more from our trip. When I have some down time I will try to post some more pics of Brazil - and some from Peru.

Just a note - Abby was sooo cute today. We were at a park doing outreach and there were many kids. Abby thought they needed some "prizes" so she found a stamp that she got and lined them up to give them a stamp on their hands. The cutest thing about it was that no one was translating for her - she just did it on her own. She also let a little street girl her age sit in her stroller to watch our show and then later gave that street girl a balloon that Abby had received from someone else. She makes our heart very happy.