End of the Arrow
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
Is the mission impossible? Will the uncontacted ever be reached? Are we crazy?
These were just a few of the questions that raced through our minds as we heard the following news. A Peruvian man known to his friends as Chaco had apparently experienced an unexpected turn of events. He was actually somewhat of a legend in the jungle area of Madre de Dios, since he was the only one who had any sort of friendly interchanges with the savage and nomadic tribe known by most of the outside world as the ´´Mashco-Piro´´. Known also as “The Invisible Tribe”, this tribe is difficult to describe since they have sought isolation and distanced themselves from any sort of civilization for generations. What we do know is that they speak a dialect similar to the Yine people, live by hunting and gathering, and do not know the one true God. Chaco was probably the world´s best source of accurate information about these wild people because of his repeated contacts. He had actually trekked deep into their prohibited territory, hunted, slept, and conversed with them. They came to him regularly to ask for machetes, pots, or trinkets, and he generously invited them to freely gather food from his farm. He was, in a very real sense, their only friend and greatest advocate in the world. No one knows exactly what went wrong, but in mid November there was apparently some sort of dispute between them. Perhaps he couldn´t give them what they were asking for, or perhaps they were upset about nearby settler´s actions and held him responsible, or perhaps it all came about because of an inter-family spat within the community. In any case, less than two months ago, on November 22nd the Mascho Piros shot Chaco through with arrows in his own farm on an island of the upper Madre de Dios river.
This is sobering, not just because I was in that very spot looking for the Maschco Piros with Chaco just two months before, but also because I was scheduled to be there with him again the very week he was shot. My desire was to visit him every few months, establish a good relationship, bring gifts for the nomadic unreached, and eventually seek friendly and prolonged contact with the savage tribe. Our prayer for many years has been that God would grant us the opportunity to evangelize a people group who has never had a chance to hear the gospel. These recent activities have caused us to question if our dreams will ever be realized in Peru. Chaco was the Mashco-Piros’ best friend, source of food, supplier of metal goods, and appeared to be their ticket out of the stone age. If he, after his repeated and thorough contacts, had been pierced by their points, how can we ever hope to reach them?
We have had to re-examine what brought us here. Is the Apostle Paul´s stated ministry philosophy still valid? He said “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” (Rom 15:20). Does God still want missionaries to think as the apostle Paul did? The answer to this question is found in the very next verse: v21 ” But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.” Paul, of course, was not original with this idea; in fact, he was quoting from the book of Isaiah, which is chock full of this theme: The rebellious, isolated enemies of God are redeemed and made into His own children. This theme, in reality, runs all through the Bible; beginning with the promise to Abraham that all nations of the earth would be blessed in him, winding throughout the Psalms with their talk of praise from ´´all the earth´´, to the book of Revelation, which declares that there will be “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” worshiping the Lamb who was slain.
The real question is: Why would we not ALL jump at the chance to take the news of the worthy and majestic Lamb who was slain to those who may choose to treat us the same way that the world treated the Lamb? There is no greater privilege or higher calling than extending the reign of the coming king. As we continue to seek to reach the unreached, we ask that you would seek to advance God’s Kingdom on your knees. It is only by the prayers of God’s people that the powers of darkness are rendered ineffectual. The spiritual battle is relentless. Are you involved?
Notes from Last November
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
The last few months have been a whirlwind. We began October with a medical doctor and his wife, Nate and Amy (Hearn) Copeland, visiting us to do medical campaigns and preaching. We were busy visiting several of the nearby tribes, and we had a missionary from Lima, Evelyn Stone, come to do some fantastic and effective purity and abortion workshops in local public schools and universities. We also held our first baptisms for Grace Baptist Church in Puerto Maldonado.
However, the most noteworthy event occurred near the end of the month. The Friday before Thanksgiving, I came down with a fever and body aches, but decided the next day to go ahead and go on a planned day trip to a nearby tribe. It was a great day, with some decisions made, but it was torturous for me in my condition. When I arrived home I slept for almost 24 hours straight. After that, I took a short break, but continued sleeping for most of the following 3 days. Thankfully, we have a team in place, and they have been able to continue the work during the illness.
I finally agreed to have a blood test on Tuesday, which means that it was serious, because I hate needles! The results showed that I did have Dengue fever, and that my platelets and white blood cells were very low.
That night our five-month old son, Isaiah, had a very high fever, and nothing could get it down. Loren took him to the ER, where they gave him some shots, and drew some blood, however they couldn’t really do much for him other than tell us that he too had Dengue fever.
Wednesday I was feeling worse, and they suspected that I had the hemorrhaging type of dengue. Isaiah was not doing any better either so we (or should I say Loren) had to decide what to do. Our friends, Jim and Sue, came over and helped convince us that we were definitely not going to get the best care there in the jungle, and really not even in Lima. During this time Loren had been in touch with the Embassy who informed her that if she needed to get anything done, it would have to be done on Wednesday at the latest, for they would be closed for Thanksgiving, so we were trying to hurry.
We asked Jim to go check on flights, and see if there was anything still available, and he found out to our great amazement that because of the rain the last flight had been delayed, and we would be able to make it if we hurried.
When we arrived at the airport, they were expecting us, and told us that if Isaiah was sick or had a fever he would not be able to fly. He seemed to be burning up, but miraculously their thermometer read 98.4 and they let us on the plane!
Loren had been in contact with some other missionaries, and providentially our friends Jim and Becky Carlton were able to pick us up from the airport, and they spent many hours shuttling us around and helping during the next few days.
We arrived Wednesday evening to the private hospital in Lima, which was a big step up from the facilities in our jungle town, but they still were confused about our illness, and recommended that we returned to the US if possible. I can truly say that they helped me more appreciate the care we receive our own country.
We contacted our mission board, Baptist World Mission, and they did everything possible to help us. Both our field director and the general director were out of the country, yet the personnel took care of everything necessary to have us medievac’ed out of Peru and into Miami. They also paid our out of pocket deductible, and wouldn’t even let the insurance people bother Loren about money. We are sooooo thankful for these great people!
Thursday, Thanksgiving day, we were amazed at God’s goodness as the people at the embassy went out of their way to call us, and then they actually came to the hospital to have me sign papers and give us Isaiah’s emergency passport.
Friday morning we were discharged in Lima only to rush to the airport, pass through all of the security and customs, and board the medical jet for the US. The time for me on the jet was a blur, but I do remember that we stopped briefly in Panama for fuel and food.
There was an ambulance waiting for us in Miami, however after being strapped down and loaded in they discovered that we were not the patients they were there to collect. Fortunately our ambulance quickly arrived, and was more equipped. We finally arrived Friday about 10pm to find my parents and Loren’s mom and sister, all of whom had been waiting for us for up to two days there. We are so thankful to God for them, and for the churches that helped them come! Isaiah and I were both admitted to the ER, and then eventually to private rooms.
Loren had not been feeling well all day, and appeared to have a fever and body aches as well. After staying strong for all those days she was finally prevailed upon to be checked by the hospital, and they discovered that she had Dengue fever as well! Three of our four family members were patients in the hospital!
We were in the hospital there for almost a week as they repeatedly drew blood, ran tests, and tried to treat us. Our platelet and white blood cell counts were so low that they thought we could have aids, yet God delivered us from this trial, and continues to heal our bodies.
The verses that come to mind are these: “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us: Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” (II Corinthians 1:8-11)
We want to say “Thank You” for your prayers, and we want you to join us in thanking and praising God for the great deliverance that He wrought.
November 2011 UP-date
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
Dear Friends,
The past few months have definitely been some of the busiest moments of our ministry. I taught a Bible college class in April; we had a great work team from our home church, Faith Baptist in Taylors, at the beginning of May; and then a wonderful intern, Erynn Nelson, a BJU nursing student, was here for about a month from mid-May into June. While she was here, we helped host a girls´ mission team from Tennessee. At the end of June, we had an incredible youth team from Faith Baptist in Davison, Michigan, who was involved in many aspects of the work. They were brought by their youth pastor, Edd Bowen. A few days after they left, we hosted an evangelistic team from the Cusco Bible College, and then we rushed off to Lima to do paperwork and spend a few days of rejuvenation with our good friends, Shaun and Shannon Walker, from Highlands Baptist Church near Denver, Colorado. The day after they left, we had an amazing team from Grace Dental and Medical mission here for two weeks. During their time here, we saw six professions of faith, as well as a number of other life-changing decisions. Praise God with us for the fruit that we are seeing as a result of these investments!
On the home front, we were told that the house we had been renting for 2 ½ years was going to be renovated and added to, so we were only given about a month to finish our own home construction and move out. Things were pretty hectic for a while, but thanks to God, we moved out by the appointed date, and we are now living debt-free in our first home ever! We thank God for His wonderful gifts!
During the month of September, we had a young missionary from Lima, Daniel Nuñez, come for about two weeks while our team-member, Victor Romero, was away. Daniel and I traveled for a week deep into the jungle looking for an uncontacted tribe. While we made many good contacts, and learned much, we were not yet able to find them. Please continue to pray with us about reaching these people who have never had a chance to hear the Gospel or the name of Jesus Christ.
During the first two weeks of October, I taught a class at the Bible college, and while there, we were able to visit other missionaries and nationals, as well as encourage some Peruvian pastors, preach in one church, counsel about some serious problems, and challenge the Bible students. The Lord is answering our prayers, and Lord-willing, two young men, Adriel and Alexis, will come for an internship during their summer months, which are from December to March.
These students are a blessing for several reasons, not the least of which is that they will help fill in during our absence. For those of you who have not yet heard: We are expecting a little girl! Loren is nearly six months along, and she should be having the baby by c-section in mid-January. The airlines here will only let her fly until the 32nd week, which means she will have to leave just before Christmas. Because of the past health complications, we plan to have the baby in Lima, the Peruvian capital city.
Apart from all of the teams and visitors, we have been busy in visitation, evangelism, discipleship, and children´s ministry. We have just started an adolescents’ ministry, and it is thriving. The church is growing and God is working! We continue to pray for a national pastor, a church-owned building, and a church van. Thank you to those who have given toward the “Fitzgerald’s church van fund”! Praise God that we now have more than $3000 toward a van, but we are still lacking about $7000. Would you pray about investing in the work of the Lord here in Peru? You can send funds for the “Fitzgerald’s church van fund” to Baptist World Mission PO Box 2149, Decatur, AL 35602.
Finally, we ask your prayers as we begin to make plans for a brief furlough. There are some important family events that we cannot miss, and by the time our baby is born, it will have been two years and two kids since our last report to those who ´hold the ropes´ for us here in Peru. Please contact us about having us come to your church to present the work here in Peru.
Thankful for your prayers, Buddy and Loren (with Joseph, Isaiah, and baby sister)
A Mom´s perspective
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
A narrative on a couple of days from my mom´s point of view. Hopefully it will give you a glimpse into our life.
Sorry that it has been so long since you have heard from me. I have not really been traveling incognito – just traveling and resettling. A lot has happened since last Wednesday.
Buddy, Loren, Joseph and Isaiah left at 5:45 am for Cusco to pick up Lorena (Loren´s mom). Due to the fact that the car was very small – and I was very sick – I stayed at home (i.e. the seminary). It was first thought that I had contracted the flu that had recently devastated the area, but the fact that I would start to look better when I was out of the apartment for a while – and then get worse when I went back in – led nurse Beth Rojas to conclude that I was having an allergic reaction. Whatever – the sinusitis and bronchitis symptoms were really laying me low. Nothing seemed to help. I slept very little due to an old foam mattress and the fact that I couldn’t breathe lying down. Last Wednesday Loren finally was able to arrange to move me to a new room, due to the fact that a few people left that day. Again, nothing changed.
On Thursday Buddy decided that we should leave on Friday for Puerto Maldonaldo because there was no reason to stay any longer in Urubamba – we had a new baby and Buddy had finished teaching his class. So we spent the day packing multitudinous suitcases. Buddy checked the plane flights and found out that it would cost all of us about $1200.00 to fly to Puerto. Bus tickets would cost less than $60.00. Guess which option we picked?!
At 7:00am on Friday we went to the Rojas house for breakfast and farewells. It certainly was an unexpected bonus for me to spend time with Beth while we were in Urubamba. They are doing a good work in the church there. However, due to the fact that they only have 60% of their support, their mission board says they have to come home in October to try to raise the rest. I hope they will be able to do it quickly.
We returned home, loaded everything (but Buddy, Joseph and the stroller) into the Rojas car and were driven to the taxi station. There we rented a taxi no larger than the Rojas car. Somehow, Buddy was able to get everything in. Of course, all of our laps were full (except for the taxi driver’s of course). I didn’t see how the car would make it up the mountains to Cusco, but it did. We unloaded everything at a church and spent the rest of the day doing errands (e.g. getting Isaiah’s Peruvian ID card).
At 5:30 we left for the bus station – in 2 vehicles. From the outside the bus looked fairly decent – and even the inside did too. I was assured there was a bathroom on board for the 12 hour trip. Our assigned seats were in the second to last row. We discovered that the last row was assigned to 6 people – with only 5 seats. The lady without a seat let her dog down in the aisle to roam about under our seats while she proceeded to lean against Loren and Lorena. The next 12 hours were not ones I would care to ever repeat.
Thankfully, early that morning the Lord had put a verse in my mind as we were driving to Cusco. “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people.” I reminded the Lord – and He reminded me – of that many times during the trip. The snakelike road up in elevation was a reminder of what happens to the person on the end of “the whip”. It was comforting to realize that the closer we got to the jungle, the straighter the road would become.
I didn’t count on the “off roading” that our bus would do in the black of the night.
After the first five mile jaunt over unpaved roads, I was extremely thankful to hit pavement. After doing this 2 more times, though, I began to realize it was going to be a regular experience for the rest of the trip. I also began to sympathize with those ancestors of ours who rode buckboards across country. Poor Isaiah – it was impossible for him to nurse. He didn’t complain too much though. I think he rather favored the jolting – he had been doing it for 9 months after all. Joseph was so tired from our full day’s activity that he slept most of the time in Buddy’s lap.
The “roads” continued to be treacherous – most of the time I could look straight down to the valley below – but see no road on which our bus was traveling – no guard rails either. Snow blanketed a lot of our ride, so I assume most of the “roads” were also blanketed. At 3:00 am the bus lights were suddenly turned on inside and several police boarded the bus, shouting for everyone to show their papers. Fortunately we didn’t have to unload, as Buddy and Loren had to do once, costing them 5 extra hours. I couldn’t believe, though, that we still had 3 more hours to go. The constant jolting continued for the rest of the trip.
Needless to say, we were extremely thankful to arrive safely at the bus station. Buddy took a moto-taxi home and came back with the truck. When we got to the house, there was no food, and everything – and I mean everything – was inches in dust – even the things inside the cabinets. It’s the dry season here, and the dust is horrible. We started cleaning while Buddy went for food. Loren was able to find some Amoxicillin for me, which has definitely helped my sinus problem. I still have a bad cough, which wears me out though.
Joseph and I have become fast friends. He invited me today to “Come play” and he took me by the hand and led me back to his bedroom. We played for a long time.
Sunday of course we went to church. It was a little discouraging to find that most of the people who had been coming didn’t come on Sunday. I suspect though, that once they find out that B&L are back in town, they will come back. After church we went to a community chicken grill out at B&L’s new neighborhood. (They were required to buy 5 tickets for the event.) While we waited for the chicken to grill, Buddy was able to talk to a small group of men who labeled themselves as great sinners once they found out Buddy was a pastor. He feels like some good relationships were started. Those of us who were waiting at the tables were a little overwhelmed when they set up a new speaker tower for their music band, which was 2 feet behind us. As we sat there cringing, nothing happened. Turns out the town of Puerto had lost its power.
That was a good thing right then. However, by 10:00pm when the power had not returned, we were not quite as joyful. However, somebody had power, because we were able to share a very good pizza with some missionary friends, Jim and Sue, here at the house after church.
I returned to my hotel room, only to discover my room’s air conditioner only went on or off. The desk man tried to assure me that if it got to cold for me during the night, all I had to do was call the front desk and he would come up to the room and turn it off for me. Right! Through Sue’s translating for me, I finally convinced the man that there had to be an empty room with a working ac. He finally and reluctantly got me the key for the room next door.
I arrived back here at B&L’s at 6:45 this morning. Cleaning was already in fully swing, because there was to be a meeting at the house at 9:00am. Loren and her mom cleaned everything else in the house today, washing piles and piles of towels mostly, and of course, dishes, shelves, etc. I took care of Joseph, took a few pictures of Isaiah, went with Bud to one market this morning, fixed 3 meals, washed dishes, and walked to another market this afternoon with Buddy and Joseph (the truck suddenly showed up with a flat tire, which Buddy had to fix before dinner – turns out somebody let the air out of the tire).
At 7:00 tonight the Peruvian team showed up here to fold tracks and make plans for evangelism – hence I can’t get on Skype but decided I could write this epistle.
As of this writing, I am still planning to leave here Aug 3. Buddy hasn’t yet been able to look up a flight for me from here to Cusco and then to Lima. I have missed not having Dad here with me, and I know Buddy has too. Loren had a bad experience during her C-section, but her recovery has been great. She had her stitches out after 10 days and weighed in – lost 22 pounds in those 10 days! She continues to look like she is losing weight – it seems that Isaiah has really caught on to this idea of eating and he likes it a lot! Joseph is adjusting pretty well to Isaiah – only occasionally now will he tell Loren to put Isaiah down and hold him.
Well, you are probably tired of reading, so I’ll sign off now. One more thing – there is supposed to be another strike tomorrow. No one really seems to know much about it and there are no extra police in town, so it may turn out to be a non-event. The report is that it’s supposed to turn cold, which would effectively squelch the strike. Anyway, please continue to pray. I have been well reminded this trip of those things which B&L have given up for the sake of the gospel. Pray that their labor would not be in vain.
Love you all,
Mom
Thank you for joining us in the great battle through prayer. 05-08-10
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
Please pray that:
1. the dozens of people to whom we presented the Gospel this week will
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. the thousands of Gospel tracts we passed out this week would not
return void.
3. some new contacts: Segundino, Salomon, Jose Luis, and others would
come to know Christ as Savior
Please praise with us about:
1. the great Peruvian mini mission team that helped our team in the
work this week.
2. the opening of an abused girl’s shelter where we are able to minister.
3. the first-time visitors who were at the services on Sunday.
In Christ Alone, Buddy and Loren
June 2010
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
“Let’s get to work!” the team unanimously agreed.
Our home church, Faith Baptist in Taylors, South Carolina, sent an
excited and enthusiastic crew of 12 members, along with a very
generous donation, to help us renovate our recently-rented church
building. After spending a day and a night traveling, the group
arrived Monday, May 10 at noon. They jumped right in and got to work,
totally astonishing our Peruvian coworkers. The team worked long and
hard each day, starting at 6 a.m. and laying their tools down well
after dark each day for the entire week! I believe their example
forever changed the lives of the people whom we have been discipling
here in Puerto Maldonado. We’re also thankful to my parents, Bern and
Gail Fitzgerald, also from Faith Baptist in Taylors, for coming two
weeks before the team arrived to help us prepare for the team’s
arrival.
The church had been meeting in our home, which Peruvians tend to view
as a sign of instability. This spring we were able to rent a piece of
property within two blocks of the town’s main plaza. The main
structure on the property needed a lot of renovation but would provide
a large meeting place for the church. The property was completely
enclosed by cinder block walls and also had space for youth activities
in the yard. The Faith team did an amazing amount of work,
transforming the main structure into a pleasant place to worship,
built a structure out back for children’s meetings, and turned our
jungle into a playground. (Okay, so that still needs work, but in
time….) They also built a small apartment in the main building for
Richard and Magda, our Peruvian coworkers.
In the past, this property has served as a club, a dance hall, a gym,
and several other things. We are thankful that God is now using it for
His glory as a place for the young church to meet, as a site for
encouragement and training of believers, and as a counseling center
for the lost of our town. We will be posting more team, work, and
ministry pictures on our website: www.fitzgeraldmissions.org.
We praise the Lord for answering many prayers. He brought over 100
people to our first service in the new building! Some of those people
were unsaved and unchurched, maybe hearing the Gospel for the first
time. We were privileged to have our field administrator, Jesse Garza,
and his wife, Laura, visit us during this time. Brother Garza preached
the first services in our new location.
During the month of May, we saw two men, Alfredo and Feliciano, make a
profession of faith. Also, it seems that several of the older children
in the kid’s club have been born again as well. Please pray that each
one grows and shows the fruit of a true believer. Many of these
children have tender hearts, and we want to reach them while they are
young.
It appears that our current church property will be a tool that the
Lord is going to use to help us win many of our neighbors and business
contacts. Much interest has been generated as people have observed the
renovations and meetings. Many people have stopped to talk to us as a
result of their piqued curiosity. We want to be faithful and take
advantage of every opportunity!
Finally, we ask you to pray about two other things. We arrived here in
this jungle town about 1 1/2 years ago and have been renting a house.
Last month the Lord gave us a piece of property on which to build a
house as a base for our jungle work. We would like to get started on
it as soon as possible. Also, the vacant lot next to ours has become
available, and we feel that it would be advantageous for us to have
that lot as well.
We are praying that a permanent property will become available before
our two-year contract is up on the church property we are currently
renting. Please pray with us concerning the financing of these
projects. If anyone would like to come help us build, we would
appreciate the investment of your time and talents. Time is getting
short, and we are seeing the Lord begin a good work here in Puerto
Maldonado. It would be great if you could be a part of it!
In Christ alone,
Buddy and Loren – along with Joseph and soon-to-be-born Isaiah
Return to Peru!
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
We are so very thankful for your prayers. The Lord has protected us and watched over us in a special way during the last few months.
We arrived in Lima, Peru late Wednesday evening, and had several meetings there on Thursday. This morning, we flew to Cusco, Peru for a wedding. Unfortunately our flight was delayed, and we missed most of the wedding, but at least we arrived in time for the reception!
I’ve been asked to preach 3 times on Sunday, and then be involved in the opening ceremonies on Tuesday for the Bible college here in the Cusco Area.
Lord-willing we’ll be headed back to the jungle on Wednesday or Thursday, and from there we will continue our church planting and tribal preaching efforts.
Also, if God allows we will be back in Cusco in July for the birth of our son and for me to teach a class. Please pray for God’s protection over Loren, and over the baby.
God provided for us in so many marvelous ways during our furlough, and we know that He will continue to lead us, guide us, provide for us, and be with us.
Thank you again for your prayers!
In Christ Alone, Buddy and Loren
The Gospel Surprise
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
We had been going out witnessing regularly for some time, and although we had established a lot of relationships, we hadn’t seen very many conversions. We were using a short questionnaire very much like the one used in The Exchange. Our visiting time for the day was about up, and that was a good thing, because 6-month-old Joseph was getting pretty tired, and a little grouchy as he rode in a carrier on my back. We arrived at what had been deemed the “last house” for the day. In all honesty, it was pretty hot, and I was a little eager to get back our home. After asking the few questions in the survey, I asked the young man at the door if he would to know how to have a relationship with God, and he shocked me by answering that “Yes, he would.” I obviously didn’t go back to the house right away, but I did go through the entire Exchange with him there on the porch. Dani was very happy to come to the beginning of a knowledge of God, and asked God to be his Lord and Savior right on the doorstep.
We followed up by returning together the next morning with a Bible for him, which he had never before owned, and we also brought lesson one of the Inquirer’s Bible Study. Please pray for Dani to grow, and come to know his savior better and better.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
November/December 2009
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
Dear Praying Friends,
Do you know what it is like to hear a young couple tell you they have been convicted to rethink their vacation time? They now want to think about it as a mission trip and ministry time rather than a relaxation time. This was just one of the many joyful moments we have experienced since beginning our furlough about one month ago. We have been excited to challenge adults and young people in Bethel Baptist Church, New Port Richey, Florida; Faith Baptist Church, Taylors, South Carolina; Catawba Springs Christian Church, Apex, North Carolina; Hillsdale Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida, and Iglesia Bautista Tabernaculo, Taylors, South Carolina, to think about the great mission.
It has been a tremendous joy to minister in these churches during the past few weeks, but the truth is that each church body has ministered to us in a tremendous way as well. We have left each church even more thankful for the friendships, prayer warriors, and support that each is giving. We, too, have been challenged and encouraged through the biblical preaching we have heard since being in the US.
We have also been able to distribute many tracts, witness to numerous people, and counsel on various occasions as we spend time with these church families and with our own families.
Finally, we are thankful once again for our faithful Peruvian coworkers who continue laboring in the jungle of Peru during our absence. They continue to work toward planting Grace Baptist Church, which currently meets in our living/dining room. The church is growing, and we are hammering out the details for a building lease, which will begin when we return in March, Lord willing. The building that we plan to lease is very centrally located and is near the plaza, but needs renovation, which we estimate will cost up to $10,000. Please pray for church growth and for funds to renovate and eventually build. You can send funds to Baptist World Mission, PO Box 2149, Decatur, AL 35602 designated Fitzgerald Building Fund.
In Christ alone, Buddy, Loren, and Joseph
Are you praying for us?
Posted by Buddy | Filed under General
If you are praying for us, keep it up. If you haven’t been praying for us, and for the work in Peru: please start!
In either case here are a few
Prayer Requests
1. that God would build His church: we are in the process of planting a church in the city of Puerto Maldonado, the largest city in the southern jungle of Peru
2. that God would open the doors to allow us to reach one of the totally unreached, Christ-less, pagan tribes in the jungle near Puerto Maldonado.
3. that God would provide more laborers for the needy field of Peru
Praises
1. God has begun to build his church: we’ve seen well over 60 first-time visitors in the 10 weeks since the official beginning of the church.
2. God has allowed us to visit a number of semi-evangelized, but needy tribes in the jungle near Puerto Maldonado, and we have seen numerous salvation decisions
3. God has provided a team of four Peruvian National co-workers with whom we are laboring, and whom are continuing the work during our field absentia.
Thank you again for your prayers.