Pastor's Retreat

Each year we hold a pastor's retreat in our camp two hours north of Lima.  This event is held to provide spiritual and physical refreshment, emotional encouragement, and the opportunity to build and bond relationships for pastors and their families.  Many look forward to this week with great anticipation.

This year 47 pastors along with their wives and families attended.

It was a great time of fellowship.

 Stan was chosen to be the speaker for the six days of the retreat.

  He spoke on "God in the Life of Samson" and he had so much fun doing the series.  God's Word is so exciting.

One the best things about the week was the opportunity spend some time together.

New Radio Office

Our radio ministry took a giant leap forward with the acquisition of a new property.  By God's provision and blessing, we were able to purchase the second floor of a small building.  The total space we obtained was only a little more than 76 square meters, but the opportunities and advantages for the furtherance of the gospel is extensive and far reaching that it is impossible to calculate!

In the remodeling process, things got pretty ugly.

Several worked hard on the week before we opened to help us reach our deadline and be ready for opening day.

This is Jorge Ávila.  He lives and works at the radio plant south of Lima where the tower is located.  He is an all-around handyman and a great blessing.  He goes wherever we need him.  What would we do without him!

The work was arduous.

Here we are nearing the finish of laying one of the floors.

These are most of the folks who work hard on the office to get it in shape.  Not pictured is our main painter, Ruth.  She is also the photographer so we failed to get a picture of her.

Mayra and Dorcas are two very effective secretaries.  They make a great team.

Before we had unpacked the new furniture, we had people coming to the office for materials.

On the first day we had an inauguration service dedicating the office to the Lord.  We had hardly opened and we have folks visiting us.  Even during the days we were remodeling, we had listeners visit us.

 The dedication service was held in our conference room.

  Ruth took this picture during the dedication service.  The lady on the right is Sonia.  Some days later, she donated several pictures and decorations to place on the walls.

God's gracious hand has been on the radio ministry.  We grateful and stand amazed.

Annual Radio Marathon

The Marathon is a two-day annual event where we go live on the radio and teach the vision/mission of the radio ministry and what are our objectives.  The Marathon has nothing to do with running.  That term is used because we broadcast live and non-stop all day long.  We challenge listeners to support the ministry financially, in prayer and in promotion - inviting others to hear the Word of God.  Our listeners really get behind the ministry because they believe in what we are trying to accomplish.  

They bring love offerings in money and in items to offer in our garage sale to support the proclamation of the gospel over the radio waves.

It is such a blessing to meet our listeners.  They are as excited as we are!

A mom brings her little daughter.  We want to start them out early on God's Word!

 We have three other pastors who come and help us.  Edward, my assistant has his back to the camera.  From left to right are: Pastor Latimer, Pastor Noe, Pastor Javier (I am standing).  They are great men who we highly respect. 

Our listeners exhort us to stay true to God's Word. 

 Pastor Edward Interviews a Listener in an Impromptu Setting.

 As we broadcast live, we interview some of those who have come to the garage sale. 

This gentleman was nervous because our listeners are not used to talking on the radio and are not expecting to be interviewed.  But they get excited when asked to share what the Word of God over the radio means to them.

 Ruth hugs one of our most enthusiastic listeners.  I led Nany to Christ in Trujillo and now she lives in Lima.  This is a rare picture of Ruth because she is our designated picture taker.

 Over the course of two days we had about 50 volunteer helpers who ate in shifts and worked very hard!  They did it all for Jesus.  Most were on their feet for almost the entire time.

 Two Young Men Who Wanted to Share with Others How the Radio Is a Blessing to Them.

 Nelly loves our station.  Each year she composes a poem about Red Radio Integridad.  This year she read her poem to our listeners.  She is an amazing poet, but an even more amazing believer!

I don't remember this lady's name, but she represents one of the thousands who faithfully listen.  She begged us to let her sing a song in praise to her Lord.  It was beautiful.  They praise God will all their heart.

Edward and I tried to let the other three pastors do a lot of the live broadcasting so we can meet our listeners.

This young lady gave the best testimony of all.  She told how she had gone to one psychological counselor after another.  They put her on a lot of different medications.  But nothing helped her until she started listening to God's Word over the radio.  In her own words, inner peace began to fill her life and she no longer needs medication.  We just sat and listened while quietly, thanking God for letting us be a part of it all.  And you are a vital part too!

Bible Conferences

Through the Radio Ministry we held Bible Conferences each day during this past week.  

Cornelio Rivera, native from Honduras, was our guest speaker.  He is a scholar who explains the Scriptures with a kind, clear and simple approach.  Any one who wants to learn can soak up the Word under his teaching.

 

Edward Zacarías is our associate pastor and the administrator of the radio ministry.  In spite of so many pressing responsibilities, he did an excellent job organizing it all.

The first one was held in a more central location of Lima and was held in three afternoons.  There was a charge to attend the sessions.  Printed notes and refreshments were provided.

 

It was so well attended that we had to announce over the radio that we had no room to receive more people.

The subject was expository preaching and we had several pastors attend.  The pastor along side of Stan is Javier Huamán.  He is the first missionary our new church plant in Lima took on for support.

Many couples came.  Each received a certificate for their participation in the conference.

A lot of the lay-men and women just wanted to learn God's Word and how to interpret the Scriptures.

 

The second conference was held in a sister church in the northern part of the city and ran for three nights.  The attendance was larger because the building held more people. 

Pastor Fidel Gómez is the pastor of the church and his church choir sang each night.  He was gracious in letting us use his church.  It is our prayer that many of those who attended the conference will begin to attend his church.

Bro. Rivera was also accompanied by his sweet wife, Aida.  They are a great couple that love the Lord with all their heart and serve in the radio ministry known in Spanish as "El Camino de la Vida" (The Way of Life).  May God bless his ministry and be glorified in their lives.

Granddaughter Norah

This is our latest grandchild.  Her name is Norah and she is the daughter of our son, Jonathan and Lorena.

Norah Mey

Grandma Ruth Showing Me Off

Jonathan - One Happy Daddy

Jonathan and Lorena with Their New Gift from Above

Lorena - A Wonderful Daughter-in-Law and Mother

Lorena's Father and Mother with Jon, Lorena and Norah.  

Kent and Belén Albright (Lorena's parents) are missionaries to Spain.  Lorena grew up in Spain.  The Albrights were there to help Lorena when Norah was born.

One Happy Family Headed to Spain as Missionaries

Daddy and Daughter - Resting on my Daddy's Big Shoulder

Norah Receives Lots of Love and Attention

Aunt Jessica Holding Norah

 One Happy Grandpa Holding Me for the First Time

Ruth Enjoys Being Grandma