CT News & Pics January 2023
January 2023
Dear praying family!
Please see our gallery of pictures and some video clips, here!
What a privilege to report to you a concerted effort at work as we chipped in our share in the labors for the Lord in January. Though many of you kept indoors to be safe from a blistering cold winter in the northern hemisphere, still your input done on your knees and your generous fellowship, combined beautifully with the efforts from believers in the jungle, mountains, and the coast of northern Peru.
Shortly after celebrating the advent of a new year, we gladly honored the invitation to speak in the biannual gathering of churches in the upper segment of the Huallaga River in the jungle. Two others from the local assembly gladly accompanied me, and dear brother Iggi Choi from NY graciously stepped up to the plate and joined us on very short notice. We were super excited to say the least, to finally be able to participate in this event. In the past we sorely missed the opportunity of this large gathering of the saints and the immense benefit it brings to maintain connectivity and unity while pulsing our way to see how the state on the union of the churches in that region is. We kindly direct you to see our pictures to journey with us to Pucallpa where the event was held. There were in total a group of 23 congregations with nearly 400 participants. There were many rededications (several couples from Solterito, the place where we completed the chapel facility back in October 2022), 9 went through the waters of baptism and 4 confessed the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. Two young bulls were sacrificed along with many chickens (I was given a rooster and a hen to take back home with me; my collection of chickens keeps getting bigger 
). We had rain for 2 consecutive days that made some of our speaking challenging because of the tin roof on the building. Pucallpa’s limited roads became literal swamps and then incredibly muddy. Through it all we had an amazing and profitable time. Not the rain, neither the heat, nor mud or any other challenge managed to derail the love of Jesus that brought us together in Pucallpa. To God be the glory!
Having hopped over back to the coast and despite rumors of more highways getting closed and possible airports shutting down because of violent protesting especially in the southern part of Peru, we made it back to Trujillo unscathed. We were excited to be home and eager to begin our classes for the 2023 edition of Capacitacion Biblica. There were nearly 40 students from all three regions of Peru plus 20 others for the bible institute. We had visiting teachers from Canada, USA and Ireland. All together there were 13 churches represented and 3 of the students graduated.
Again, after completing the Bible training in Trujillo, I immediately headed up north to Chiclayo to teach at their second and final week there. This was a more intense time for me as I picked up morning and afternoon courses. The heat was almost similar to the jungle but without humidity. I confess there were times I struggled to make it through the afternoon sessions. The heat just has a way to melt you to the core especially after a large meal sitting in your stomach. By God’s grace we completed the week, and my Genesis class wanted me to keep going since I only managed to make it through chapter 24. Hopefully I can complete it next time. Please visit our gallery of pictures where you can “meet” our students from Trujillo and Chiclayo with plenty more news to process.
Prayer & Praise
·Pray for Peru! Most of you are well aware of the difficult and volatile situation Peru is in as we speak. Since December 7th, 59 people have died. Protestors will not flinch in their demands to depose the president, have new general elections, and a new constitution. So much is at stake and yet nothing shows up as a suitable solution for the entire nation. Pray for the church of God to remain bold in proclaiming Jesus who is our only permanent and eternal solution!
·Continue to pray for baby Joshua! Our colaborers Jared and Claudia continue to wait for their son’s operation. Things are not getting any better. The latest development shows that Joshua would need a urethral reimplantation. His bout with infections has made it difficult to find a large enough window of time to operate in a state hospital. His parents are now praying the operation could be done in a private clinic. Please pray for this to happen soon!
·Pray for Sarah’s parents! We were sooo looking forward to their visiting with us most of February. Sadly, they had to postpone their plans due to sudden medical needs. Please pray that nothing major is in progress and that we can have them visit in the near future.
·Thank you for praying for our children. We said goodbye to Abi as she completed a short stay with us during her Christmas break. We also celebrated our Gabriela’s 16th bday. They are all well and pressing on with schoolwork despite being summer here and all their peers are on summer break from school.
·Thankful for safe travels for the speakers/teachers who came from the US, Canada and Ireland in January. We had the joy of hosting Iggi Choi and Steve Twinem in our home, which was a real special treat for our family.
·We give thanks to the Lord for keeping us safe as we traveled through various states here in Peru amid much turmoil and violence. Whether we flew, took a bus, or rode a boat… our Lord was there with us guiding us the entire way. Thank you for praying!
Coming up
·February 12-14, scouting new sites for our mission teams for June 2023.
·February 21, Pablo’s birthday!
·February 24, four of the CT kids will be in a very special wedding that Pablo will officiate. We are all excited!
In His precious name!
Pablo & Sarah CT
