“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” -Charles H. Spurgeon
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” -Matthew 28:19
“Every Christian is a missionary or an imposter.” – Spurgeon via Lecrae’s Twitter
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed, and we thank the Lord for His blessings and care for us. What a great God we serve, and what a blessing it is to be involved in His work. Although we can face various trials and tests through our lives, what a blessing to know that our Lord is there with us each step of the way, wherever He has called us to serve Him. Joshua 1:9 states “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” This update will share current prayer requests, as well as a very important time in the life of our family.
Lord willing, my wife will give birth to our second child later this month. She is due February 12th, and the time is quickly approaching, so we would appreciate your prayers so much for her, the baby, and the upcoming delivery, that all would go well. We got it confirmed recently that we will be having a daughter, and we are so thrilled with this. We plan to name her Camille Sophia Radford, and we are so looking forward to having her as a part of our family soon, Lord willing. What a blessing children are, and we thank the Lord for the great medical care that Carrie has received thus far and for the health of our baby. Psalm 127:3 states “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” We plan to send pictures of Camille soon, so you can see her. Please continue to pray that all would go well in the upcoming days.
Please also continue to pray for the ministries in our absence. Please pray for the ministry in Rafiki, the prison ministry, and also the hospital ministry, as we are away from the ministries at this time. Although it is hard to be away from Kenya and the ministries there, it is also a good time for us to be able to report on the ministries, as well as spend time with friends and family. Please pray for us as we travel, that we would be safe, and also for the vehicle to be dependable as we travel. We appreciate your prayers so much, as prayer is such a vital part of the ministry. Adrian Rogers said “Prayer is the greatest Christian privilege.” What a privilege indeed it is to be able to talk to the Lord, and to trust Him as we pray.
May God bless each of you for your prayers, support, love, and encouragement. It means more to us than you will ever know. We will keep you updated.
In Him,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad [at] yahoo.com
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” -Matthew 22:37-39
Love God, Love People. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 22:34-40, John 13:34-35)
Pray to God, Pray for People. (1 John 5:13-15, James 5:13-16)
Produce. Muito Fruto. (John 15:1-10)
We so much enjoyed having 3rd-generation missionary to Brazil Jud Hatcher and his precious family with us Sunday Morning! In his message, Bro. Jud shared about the many times he had asked his grandfather John A. Hatcher for advice. Every time, Bro. Hatcher responded the same way: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
March 2, 2010
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed so quickly, and we thank the Lord for His care for us, for His protection, and also for His many blessings He has given us. Psalm 116:12 says “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” We thank the Lord for His many blessings, and also thank the Lord for each of you, who pray for us, encourage us, and support us in the work here in Kenya. This update will share current ministry progress as well as share prayer requests.
The work in the village of Rafiki is continuing well, and we thank the Lord for this. I am now teaching on the church, and also preaching the Word of God. I thank the Lord for those who have been coming to learn and study the Bible. Beginning the work has not been easy, and has had many challenges, but I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and help. Please continue to pray for this work as it continues to develop, and also for the people, that God would use His Word to change their lives. In the Lord’s plan and timing, I desire to have a church in Rafiki, so please pray for this work there. Please also pray for me as I go out in the community to visit, and also share the Word of God with the people. I have truly seen the importance of prayer, relying and trusting the Lord to do His work. Corrie Ten Boom once said “Don’t wait until you are ready to pray. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” What a challenge this is to each of us, to regularly pray, wherever the Lord has us to serve Him. 
The Annex prison ministry is also continuing well. I thank the Lord for the chaplains there and for the cooperation they have had in the work. We are now half-way through the course “Firm Foundations” and the men seem to be really learning and growing spiritually. We have learned much together, and the men seem to be getting a solid foundation of teaching from the Word of God. We also have the chairs now built and put in the building, and we thank those who donated for this need. The men are very grateful to each of you who pray for them, as many feel forgotten. May God bless each of you for your prayers and assistance with this ministry.
In family news, Carrie and McKenna are continuing well. Carrie continues to go to the district hospital to provide the mothers and babies with supplies that are much needed here. So many have been helped through donations to this ministry, and we thank each of you for your sacrificial giving. McKenna is now almost two years old and really growing and developing. What a blessing it is to be a parent, but also what responsibility is involved in raising her. Please pray for both Carrie and I, that we would be the parents that God would have us to be.
In closing, I will end with a verse that has challenged me personally and I hope will challenge you also, wherever the Lord has you in service to Him. It is Psalm 37:5, which says “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”
Until next month,
Nathan, Carrie & McKenna Radford
Kitale, Kenya, East Africa
naterad [at] yahoo.com
December 8, 2009
Dear praying friends,
We hope this update finds each of you doing well. It is hard to believe that we are at the end of the year 2009 and getting ready for another year ahead. Time goes so quickly, and may we ever be mindful of using our time wisely in service for the Lord. We hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving holiday with your families and we wish each of you a great Christmas time with friends and family. This update will share current ministry progress as well as prayer requests.
Before giving a ministry report, we wish to update you of a situation that happened at our home in Kitale recently. Unfortunately, this past month, a significant amount of money was taken from our compound. The money was locked up securely in a small room. When I went to do a count of the money recently, I was surprised to discover a major discrepancy in the amount that I had left previously. This disturbed both my wife and I, and we called all who we thought were involved into a meeting to discuss the incident. Unfortunately, all who we thought were involved denied any involvement. We filed a report at the police station, but this is as far as it went. It is very hard to get to the truth here, so please pray that those who are responsible for this would come forward, confess, repent, and seek reconciliation. Please pray for us, that the truth would come out, as it is a very difficult situation for us at this time.
In ministry news, we thank the Lord for the ministry in Rafiki. I am continuing in a short discipleship course which covers many of the fundamentals of the faith. I feel that this is very needed here, and is still a major part of the foundational teaching for this ministry. In the near future, I plan to teach the people on the church, and cover the major aspects of church ministry. Lord willing, a preaching point will be established. Please pray for the people who attend, for every step in this ministry, and for me, as I teach and preach to the people.
The annex prison is continuing well, for which I thank the Lord. We are continuing well in the course “Firm Foundations – from Creation to Christ.” The men seem to be getting much from the teaching and growing spiritually. Please pray for each of these men, especially this time of year, when it is very difficult to be separated from friends and family.
The family is also doing well. McKenna continues to grow and develop quickly. She is now beginning to talk and express herself, and become very interactive. These years are the formative years of her childhood, and very important for her development. I thank the Lord for my wife and her love and care as a mother. Please pray for us both, that we would continue to mold and shape our daughter’s life to truly follow the Lord.
We hope each of you have a great Christmas and a happy New Year. Lord willing, at our next update, it will be 2010. May we dedicate this year to service to our Lord. God bless you all and we will keep you updated.
In Kenya,
Nathan, Carrie and McKenna Radford
Dear Friends,
Anita and I continue to be busy about the Lord’s work here in the Andean Mountain town of Huánuco, Peru. She works daily on children’s Sunday School lessons. As I have mentioned a few times in the past, these lessons are used by all of our churches and we know of several public school systems in the country using her material in their religious courses. Yes, it is the law in Peru that religion must be taught in the schools! Would it not be something great if the United States were to return to her roots and overturn laws that have taken God and prayers out of the schools? We can pray!
I continue to pastor the Calvary Baptist Mission Church here in Huánuco. Even though much of my time is spent in preparing lessons and teaching for the Bible Institute, I always enjoy working with young mission works and seeing them mature and finally become independent and organized into a new church. On average it takes about five to six years from the start of a new work to its organization and Calvary Baptist will be no exception. Please pray for us and this young work.
In last month’s letter I reported that a young medical missionary from Huánuco, Silvia Rojas, was going to be married on the the 25th of October. Well the wedding went very well and Silvia and Benjamin are now married. It was the fourteenth wedding that I have conducted while in Huánuco. Later, after the wedding, I was told that family from both sides of the marriage had made comments about how nice it was to go to a wedding reception and not have it break out in family fights. It is a sad commentary on the culture here that most “non-Christian” weddings have a lot of drinking at the receptions and the liquor seems to take the scabs off wounds of many old perceived wrongs among family members. What a testimony it was for this young couple to share their faith in Jesus Christ before their families. Please pray for them as they start their new life together and serving the Lord at the Diospi-Suyana missionary hospital in Curahuasi, Peru.
The end of the month Anita and I traveled to the coastal town of Trujillo where I had been invited by the Esmirna Baptist Mission to come and preach and also teach on Baptist history. Trujillo is the third largest city in Peru with close to one million inhabitants. We had a great time with the mission work and the young pastor there, Moises Sevillano. He has been in Trujillo for two years now and has three different works; two in Trujillo and one three hours away in the city of Chiclayo, also on the coast. Please pray for Moises, he is very gifted young man with a genuine zeal to reach lost souls with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The city of Trujillo claims to be the “City of Eternal Springtime”, but after four days of humidity, Anita and I both agree that the mountain town of Huánuco where we live still has “the best climate in the world”, as the sign coming into our town claims.
From Trujillo we traveled back the capital city of Lima and spent a few days with Jason and Rebecca Reinhardt and the twins, Natali and Neomi. We had a great time taking the girls to the zoo and play park. They are now five years old and really love their Papaw and Nene (me and Anita!). We also enjoyed an afternoon with our missionary friends, Rodney and Rebecca Spears. Our new truck continues to run well and we thank the Lord for having it every time we make the long road trip from Huánuco to Lima and back.
While in Lima, Anita had her check-up with the oncologist and once again all the results of the various tests (blood work) came back with excellent numbers. We thank all of you for your continued prayers for her; I can see she continues to regain her former strength little by little as it has been almost a year since she finished her cancer treatments and was released by the doctor. God has shown HIS great mercy to us, and we praise HIM daily. Until next month.
In HIM by HIS grace,
Sheridan and Anita Stanton
ar Friends,
Anita and I continue to be busy about the Lord’s work here in the Andean Mountain town of Huánuco, Peru. She works daily on children’s Sunday School lessons. As I have mentioned a few times in the past, these lessons are used by all of our churches and we know of several public school systems in the country using her material in their religious courses. Yes, it is the law in Peru that religion must be taught in the schools! Would it not be something great if the United States were to return to her roots and overturn laws that have taken God and prayers out of the schools? We can pray!
I continue to pastor the Calvary Baptist Mission Church here in Huánuco. Even though much of my time is spent in preparing lessons and teaching for the Bible Institute, I always enjoy working with young mission works and seeing them mature and finally become independent and organized into a new church. On average it takes about five to six years from the start of a new work to its organization and Calvary Baptist will be no exception. Please pray for us and this young work.
In last month’s letter I reported that a young medical missionary from Huánuco, Silvia Rojas, was going to be married on the the 25th of October. Well the wedding went very well and Silvia and Benjamin are now married. It was the fourteenth wedding that I have conducted while in Huánuco. Later, after the wedding, I was told that family from both sides of the marriage had made comments about how nice it was to go to a wedding reception and not have it break out in family fights. It is a sad commentary on the culture here that most “non-Christian” weddings have a lot of drinking at the receptions and the liquor seems to take the scabs off wounds of many old perceived wrongs among family members. What a testimony it was for this young couple to share their faith in Jesus Christ before their families. Please pray for them as they start their new life together and serving the Lord at the Diospi-Suyana missionary hospital in Curahuasi, Peru.
The end of the month Anita and I traveled to the coastal town of Trujillo where I had been invited by the Esmirna Baptist Mission to come and preach and also teach on Baptist history. Trujillo is the third largest city in Peru with close to one million inhabitants. We had a great time with the mission work and the young pastor there, Moises Sevillano. He has been in Trujillo for two years now and has three different works; two in Trujillo and one three hours away in the city of Chiclayo, also on the coast. Please pray for Moises, he is very gifted young man with a genuine zeal to reach lost souls with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The city of Trujillo claims to be the “City of Eternal Springtime”, but after four days of humidity, Anita and I both agree that the mountain town of Huánuco where we live still has “the best climate in the world”, as the sign coming into our town claims.
From Trujillo we traveled back the capital city of Lima and spent a few days with Jason and Rebecca Reinhardt and the twins, Natali and Neomi. We had a great time taking the girls to the zoo and play park. They are now five years old and really love their Papaw and Nene (me and Anita!). We also enjoyed an afternoon with our missionary friends, Rodney and Rebecca Spears. Our new truck continues to run well and we thank the Lord for having it every time we make the long road trip from Huánuco to Lima and back.
While in Lima, Anita had her check-up with the oncologist and once again all the results of the various tests (blood work) came back with excellent numbers. We thank all of you for your continued prayers for her; I can see she continues to regain her former strength little by little as it has been almost a year since she finished her cancer treatments and was released by the doctor. God has shown HIS great mercy to us, and we praise HIM daily. Until next month.
In HIM by HIS grace,
Sheridan and Anita Stanton
Dear praying friends, October 2, 2009
Another month has come and passed so quickly, and we are now almost at the end of the year 2009. May we be reminded often of the shortness of our lives here, and the need to use our time and opportunities to serve the Lord while we have the opportunity. Matthew 6:19-20 says “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” May we truly be mindful of the work of the Lord and where we are seeking our treasures. A quote that has always challenged me says “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” This update will share current ministry progress, as well as prayer requests.
The ministry at Rafiki is progressing well, and I am now reaching the conclusion of our study entitled “Firm Foundations – Creation to Christ.” Recently we have been studying about the work of Jesus Christ on the cross for us, and the payment He made for our sins. Also, we will soon be studying about the resurrection of Christ and the many applications that these teachings have for our lives. It has been a challenge to lead this course, but I also have learned much from it. Please pray for me as I teach, that I would have a servant’s heart, and study the Word of God diligently so that the people will be able to make many applications to their lives. 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Please pray for this ministry and those that are coming. Please also pray that the Lord would provide faithful students of the Word who truly desire to grow and reach spiritual maturity. Please also pray for the national pastors who go with me faithfully to assist in this ministry. I desire their input and advice so much, as they understand the culture very well and are able to make valuable insights. What a blessing they have been to me. I will keep you informed on each step of the progress of this ministry.
The prison ministry is also going well. The men of the Annex prison have been faithful to study the Word of God and many are making necessary changes in their lives in order to follow the Lord. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve in the Annex and am also thankful for the help of the chaplains who have assisted in many ways. Some prisoners also who have been released have been coming faithfully to the churches and growing much spiritually, so I thank the Lord for this as well. I will keep you updated on this work.
Carrie and McKenna are continuing to do well. Carrie has been very busy taking care of McKenna and the many responsibilities of being a mother. What a wonderful, faithful wife the Lord has provided for me, one who is faithful to pray for me, encourage me, and be willing to face the many challenges of missionary life. This month, Lord willing, we will celebrate five years of marriage. Proverbs 18:22 states “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Carrie also continues to stay busy in the hospital ministry, and we thank each one who prays for or financially assists her in this work. Many mothers and babies have been assisted through your generosity in many ways. May God bless you so much.
This month, Lord willing, we will have a team from Pennsylvania coming to visit Kitale and see the ministries. Please
pray for them, for their travel, their health, and their opportunities to serve the people while they are with us. I will give a more specific update next month, after their visit. What a blessing it is to have both friends and family visit us here in Kenya. You are a blessing to us, and an encouragement.
In closing, please pray for our health, our safety, and also for us as we face differing cultural issues . We appreciate so
much your prayers for us, and it truly is an encouragement. May we be people who are found faithful in the work of the
Lord, praying and trusting the Lord for the results in whatever ministry He calls us to, whether overseas or in the States.
I will leave you with the challenging words of D.L. Moody, who said, “Work as if everything depended on you and pray
as if everything depended on God.” May God bless each of you.
In Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa
[Note from Sarah: Every speaker has a different style and it takes me a while to figure out their patterns and get used to taking notes while they’re speaking. So, bear with me…these are just rough sketches. I wish I could’ve transcribed these messages!!!!]
Sunday School | 1 John 1:1-10 | Bro. Jason Estes
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” -1 John 1:7
Introduction (vs. 1-4)- John lays the foundation and states his purpose for writing (ch. 5:11-12)
1)Christ is our life
2)Christ is eternal
3)Christ is God incarnate
4)Since Christ is our life, eternal and became a man, John had fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. (fellowship=shared values, cherish thought of spending eternity with them, active)
vs. 3- Since Christ has provided a way to have fellowship with God the Father, we can have fellowship with one another.
vs. 5-10- Light and Darkness (each characterize people)
Revelation 20:11-15- the end result (a courtroom scene)
He’s so just, that He provides evidence. (The Book and Supporting Books)
John 3:19-20- The nature of the person in darkness.
Jude 14-15- The books will be opened. Knees will bend and tongues will confess that Jesus is Lord.
James 2- Even if you only do one bad thing and 100 good things, you are still guilty!
How do you get into the book of life?
Acts 3:18-19- Becuase of what Christ did. My sins are blotted out!
John 3:21- Evidence that God was the source of these good deeds.
vs. 7- result of the newbirth: strive to walk in the light and reach out to others
Reaching out to others:
Genesis 41:53-57- Famine: God provided.
Amos 8:11- The Famine we face today: spiritual
1 John- Share what God has done!
*It’s like we have a storehouse of food and those around us are starving. The storehouses are open, but people are picky eaters.
Morning Worship | Acts 1:4-11, Hebrews 12:1 | Bro. Harold Draper, missionary to Brazil
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
vs. 6- The disciples were concerned with the material side of life.
*Our primary concern should be the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33)
vs. 8- power=ability, authority to serve Him; He empowers us in the same way.
*He saves everybody on purpose for a purpose. He has something for you to do as His child that only you can do.
-Serve Him in and through His church. When we come together, He meets with us in a special way.
*Witnesses to God’s saving grace=our primary function.
Functions of a witness:
-shines -gives off an aroma -salty: gives flavor and preserves -fisherman (bait of Gospel on hook) -seed sowers and harvesters
Hebrews 12:1- speaking primarily to Jewish Christians who had been following Old Testament rituals.
*Look at all those witnesses who have stood firm. Examples of those who paid a price to serve the Lord are found in Hebrews 11.
*As witnesses, reiterate the Gospel. We’re here to be his witnesses.
-From Mt. Calvary to Mt. Zion, there are a lot of valleys inbetween.
*Sometimes being a witness will cost you something. Our chief purpose is to be His witnesses. Witness with words and gracious actions.
Evening Worship | Exodus 39:32-43 | Pastor Steve Wainright
“And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.” -Exodus 39:43
Our purpose in life is to live to the glory of God and share His Gospel.
-The tabernacle is completed and they’re bringing it to Moses for inspection. The tabernacle shows the way of salvation and we get a glimpse of Heaven. (Leviticus 26:11) It shows that God is holy, merciful, how He provides, forgives and sanctifies. It points to Jesus Christ.
-OT=concealed // NT=revealed
–Symbolism pictures what’s in the present. Types picture the future.
-Most of the tabernacle was built as symbols.
Examination:
-They were careful to follow instructions. (vs. 1,5,7,21,26,29,31,32)
Everything God commanded, they did. (vs. 42)
The result of doing just what God commands: blessing. (vs. 43)
– – – – –
Jesus as the Tabernacle
-Emmanuel: “God with us”; Hebrews 10:5- body prepared for Him; John 17:4- Christ was perfectly obedient to God the Father
How does all this relate to us?
-We must do God’s will…God’s way. How do we know His will? Through His Word. What is God’s will (that all should repent and trust in Christ; to co-labor with us; 1 Corinthians 3:9) Witness.
*God’s Word is not bound. He can use you in greater ways than you could ever imagine. He uses us as we are involved in His work.
*Do God’s will God’s way. Then expect God’s blessing.
Do your work God’s way to the glory of God.
*God blesses you as you put forth your best effort for His glory.
>There are two ways to do things: God’s Way and the Wrong Way. Do it as God commanded. He’ll get the glory and we’ll get the blessing.
*Our inspection is coming. (1 Corinthians 5:10- a cause to be obedient) If Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to you, you will pass the test.
Dear Friends,
July was just as action packed as the month of June! In last month’s letter I reported on the visiting mission team from Hiddenite, North Carolina. The week after they left I traveled north of Lima to preach a four day meeting for the Faith Baptist Church of Huaral. We had a great time preaching and teaching on the Exchanged Life in Jesus Christ. The following week I preached in the anniversary services of the Zion Baptist Church here in Huánuco. It was a true blessing to have been in both of these meetings. One week after the anniversary services I traveled to Peru’s capital city of Lima once again to meet our second summer mission team. This group was mainly from the Grace Baptist Church of Taylor, Michigan with three joining from the Storms Creek Baptist Church of Ironton, Ohio. It was the first time for the Grace Baptist Church to take on a summer mission project and they did an outstanding job. There were fourteen of them on the team and they not only worked hard and shared God’s love everywhere they went but they also laughed a lot while having a great time. They will be missed and we hope they will come back again sometime in the future. Like the first mission team they also helped the Grace Baptist Church of Huánuco build a security wall around the property. Digging ditches with picks and shovels and then filling the ditches with concrete and rocks was exhausting work but they really seemed to enjoy it! The traditional soccer match with Americans and Peruvians playing went as expected! I’m sure you can guess the outcome! On Wednesday night Pastor Matt Brooks brought a moving message at the Central Baptist Church here in Huánuco. I had the privilege of translating for him. After the work days we goodbye to Huánuco and began our journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
While in Cusco we visited the Berea Baptist Mission pastored by our Baptist Missionary friends Jason and Rebecca Reinhardt. Pastor Gary Harrah preached on Sunday morning with me translating. What a blessing the service was for all present! From there the team travelled by bus and train to Machu Picchu (which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World). Machu Picchu is an amazing place and pictures just cannot describe the experience adequately. After arriving back in Cusco we flew back to Lima then began our trip on down the Pacific coast to the town of Paracas where the group was scheduled to travel eleven miles out into the ocean to the Ballesta Islands but the sea was choppy that day and the port authority would not allow any boats out. So we had a great seafood lunch and then continued on down the coast to the Huacachina oasis. This team, like the June team, had an incredible time sand surfing and dune buggy riding in the sand dunes that stretch for as far as the eye can see.
The next day our dear friends left Peru, heading back to Michigan. They made a wonderful impression and we hope the trip challenged and excited them to do even more for missions there at home. Hosting mission teams is exhausting work but also very, very rewarding for Anita and me. We certainly enjoyed having them with us and we hope they will come back. We thank the Lord for their love and concern for the dear saints of the Lord here in Peru.
In HIM by HIS grace,
Sheridan and Anita Stanton
July was just as action packed as the month ofJune! In last month’s letter I reported on the visiting mission team from Hiddenite, North Carolina. The week after they left I traveled north of Lima to preach a four day meeting for the Faith Baptist Church of Huaral. We had a great time preaching and teaching on the Exchanged Life in Jesus Christ. The following week I preached in the anniversary services of the Zion Baptist Church here in Huánuco. It was a true blessing to have been in both of these meetings. One week after the anniversary services I traveled to Peru’s capital city of Lima once again to meet our second summer mission team. This group was mainly from the Grace Baptist Church of Taylor, Michigan with three joining from the Storms Creek Baptist Church of Ironton, Ohio. It was the first time for the Grace Baptist Church to take on a summer mission project and they did an outstanding job. There were fourteen of them on the team and they not only worked hard and shared God’s love everywhere they went but they also laughed a lot while having a great time. They will be missed and we hope they will come back again sometime in the future. Like the first mission team they also helped the Grace Baptist Church of Huánuco build a security wall around the property. Digging ditches with picks and shovels and then filling the ditches with concrete and rocks was exhausting work but they really seemed to enjoy it! The traditional soccer match with Americans and Peruvians playing went as expected! I’m sure you can guess the outcome! On Wednesday night Pastor Matt Brooks brought a moving message at the Central Baptist Church here in Huánuco. I had the privilege of translating for him. After the work days we goodbye to Huánuco and began our journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
While in Cusco we visited the Berea Baptist Mission pastored by our Baptist Missionary friends Jason and Rebecca Reinhardt. Pastor Gary Harrah preached on Sunday morning with me translating. What a blessing the service was for all present! From there the team travelled by bus and train to Machu Picchu (which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World). Machu Picchu is an amazing place and pictures just cannot describe the experience adequately. After arriving back in Cusco we flew back to Lima then began our trip on down the Pacific coast to the town of Paracas where the group was scheduled to travel eleven miles out into the ocean to the Ballesta Islands but the sea was choppy that day and the port authority would not allow any boats out. So we had a great seafood lunch and then continued on down the coast to the Huacachina oasis. This team, like the June team, had an incredible time sand surfing and dune buggy riding in the sand dunes that stretch for as far as the eye can see.
The next day our dear friends left Peru, heading back to Michigan. They made a wonderful impression and we hope the trip challenged and excited them to do even more for missions there at home. Hosting mission teams is exhausting work but also very, very rewarding for Anita and me. We certainly enjoyed having them with us and we hope they will come back. We thank the Lord for their love and concern for the dear saints of the Lord here in Peru.
In HIM by HIS grace,
Sheridan and Anita Stanton
New Life Baptist Church 