Hello to all,
It's been a good week here in Lima, Peru for the Holeman crew as we get back to whatever it is we call normal.
We had a great time on our REAP NORTH PERU Team Retreat on Aug 26 to 30. We were able to take the whole crew down to Ica, Peru for some fun in the sun. It was good to fellowship with one another after enduring several months of hard work together. I know our family would have enjoyed another week away from wintry, cloudy Lima.
Haylee and Jackson are doing great in school and both are back in full swing with guitar (Haylee), club soccer (Jackson), youth group activities, and homework when they have time. Your prayers for them are so appreciated and are an important part of their lives. They know you are praying. Thank You so much. Please continue to pray that Haylee and Jackson will grow closer to the Father each day.
Haylee's birthday is September 11 (Saturday) so we'll be partying next weekend to celebrate Haylee's 14th birthday!
Liesa and Jeff have been able to catch up on some much needed work projects and planning for the upcoming year. We also had training meetings this week that complete our missionary apprentice requirements so that we can move on to Career Missionary status. It was also good to visit with our cluster leader and his wife this week and get to hear some of their experiences through the years as missionaries. These next few weeks will be busy with other meetings, continuing to plan for the upcoming year, preparing for a busy last few months of the year with mission teams coming in to minister to their adopted people groups, a research trip on the Amazon, and a training meeting in Bolivia. Lots to do! Please pray that in our busyness that we will not miss opportunities to join God in what He is doing.
Looking over last month's work here in Peru I wanted to share with you some info. Our REAP NORTH PERU team hosted 29 teams with 307 volunteers. 2257 people heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. 407 people responded by beginning a relationship with Christ. 12 of those were baptized. Seven indigenous villages now have Bible studies meeting in their village and have access to God's Word. 3 new churches were reported by our Strategy Coordinator church partners. 1198 copies of God's Word were distributed. All of these numbers remind us of the great harvest that occurs every day here in Peru and the need for more Peruvians to join the work. Please pray for Peruvian partners to be found, that they can be properly trained, and the work of reaching Peru with the Gospel will not be hindered by a lack of laborers or financial resources.
Jeff and one of our fellow missionaries will be doing research by boat on a part of the Amazon River and some of the tributaries during the latter part of September. Please pray that the preparations for this trip will be Spirit-led and that we'll go where God wants us to be working in the future. And, pray for safety for the research team. There's room in the boat for you if you want to go.
This week is a special week as it marks the completion of three years on this missionary adventure. Most of you who read this were dragged into this life reluctantly. Many of you have sacrificed in so many ways. Some of you have hurt deeply because of your love for us. We understand in so many ways the words of David who wrote Give your burdens to the Lord,and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. (Psalm 55:22) We have learned so much about following HIM and what living in radical obedience to HIM means. To follow Christ is to live a life of sacrifice. No where in Scripture are we taught that we can follow Christ and have our way at the same time. Someone has to be Lord and things really work out better if it is Jesus. Jesus and a comfortable life free from sacrifice are not compatible. We are grateful for so many of you who God used to teach us what obedience and being a disciple really means. Thank you for 'holding the rope' for us faithfully through prayer and your giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program (through your local Southern Baptist Church). Please pray that God would continue to teach us how to follow Him faithfully. We have a long way to go.
Now, for a recap of Ole Miss' football performance last week. Hmmmm. Enough of that.
Jeff, Liesa, Haylee, and Jackson Holeman
...a multitude of disciples among all peoples of the Americas...
...equipped to fulfill the Great Commission...
...to the ends of the earth.”
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