The work here in Ilo.

Hello everyone. This is an entry to tell you all about the work that has been going on here in Ilo with the church "Ebenezer" here.

As I said in the last entry, the first week here was focused on outreach and evangelism. We went from "casa a casa" in the mornings and held meetings in the evenings, where different Pastors came to speak each night. We saw many people show an interest when we talked to them and we saw new people coming to the church. It has been great to get to know different families from the church. For lunch here we have been going to houses of some families in the church here. We have been going in smaller groups (sometimes even on our own) so it has been a good way to speak more Spanish, get to know the families better and to get to know different team members better at the same time. We have been treated really well and felt very welcomed by the families and people that we have met.

The second week was a bit less busy but still involved working with the more normal runnings of the church here. We again went from house to house, talking to local people, and inviting them to the regular church meetings. One of the days this week, the team went down to the lower part of Ilo to perform a mime and to speak to people passing by. This was good to be involved in as it was something a bit different from what we might have done before but God's Word was proclaimed all the same. Again we went to local houses for our lunch.

On the Saturdays, we have been involved in running Bible Clubs for the kids around the area. The Team split into 2 and held 2 meetings in 2 different places. Today, we also helped out the Youth of the church as they had prepared food to sell near a small market to raise money.

Although things here in Ilo have been a bit more basic, we have enjoyed it all the same. We have had to adapt to sleeping on the floor and not always having running water but like one of the comments said:
"Sleeping on the floor is bound to be good training for something - it will make you grateful for the bunk beds back at the camp site."
This is very true and we are looking forward to getting back to Ite.

Our next "venture" is going to be in Tacna. There will be the similar set up where 10 go to Tacna and 4 will stay in Ite, where we will be working with the churches there. Freddy, Richard, Fany, Ceci, Ingrid, Aarón, Raúl, Rakel, Graham and Tom will be going to Tacna, while Javier, Sam, Karen and Merly will be staying in Ite.

Some prayer points before I finish up. Please:

-pray for all the people that we have spoken to and shared the Gospel with here in Ilo, that God will really work in their lives and challenge them.

-pray for the church here, that they would be encouraged by this time, that they will grow stronger as a church, in faith as well as in numbers.

-pray for the team Misión Rescate. As we are going to be split again that God will work through all of these things for His glory. For both the members in Ite and in Tacna. Pray for each member of the team, especially for those who are finding it hard at times, that God will really be close to them and will help them to serve Him.

-pray for the work that's going to happen in Tacna. That the hearts and minds of the people we are going to share with will be prepared for what we have to say. Also pray for our Spanish, in particular the 3 guys who will be going to Tacna who aren't going to have Karen there with them to help them along. Pray that although the understanding may not always be there, that we will serve and glorify God in all that we do.

Thanks to everyone who reads this and to those who leave comments. It's nice to know we have people back home thinking and praying for us. We really appreciate all your support.

Thanks again,
God Bless,

El Perú Cinco.