April 30, 2003

Dear Friends,

Greetings to all from the beautiful Andes Mountains of Peru. Anita and I thank you all for your prayers and support of the Lord's work here in Peru. 

The first week of April I was out in the North Jungle town of Iquitos teaching another Bible Institute class. I had 85 pastors and preachers present for the class on "Apologetics." It was a real blessing to be able to share with them some of the modern dangers of the New Age Movement, its teachings and tactics. The Lord is always in control and knows our needs. Just one week before I arrived to teach the class in Iquitos, a branch of the "New Acropolis" opened up one block away from where I was to teach. The "New Acropolis" is the name of an organization dedicated to the spread of the teachings of the New Age Movement; self-realization, oriental philosophy, meditation, etc.. The classes went well with a good spirit among the pastors and preachers.

The week after returning from Iquitos I conducted an other wedding here in Huanuco. One of our young preachers, Jonel Quijano, married a girl from our church. Jonel is working as our missionary at the work in Huariaca. Please pray for Jonel and Yudy, his wife. 

Speaking of Huariaca, we will soon be starting construction for a meeting house for the work there. We hope to be able to finish the building when the Mission Adventures Team of BFM comes down to work the end of July. Anita and I are really looking forward to their arrival. We only wish more could come. Some of you were not able to make in for this years Mission Adventure project here in Peru, but you can still get in on next years project in Brazil and then in Kenya, Africa. Our good friends, Dr. Randall Jones and his wife Barbara, are in charge of planning the Mission Adventures projects and they would love to hear from you and put you on their mailing list. We certainly appreciate all their efforts and sacrifice for the work of Christ around the world.

The third week I traveled down to Tingo Maria and was the interrogator for the ordination of Missionary Roosevelt Hermitaño. We had six pastors on the ordination council and Roosevelt gave a very good account of himself. It was such a blessing to me when I realized that over the past twenty years living in Peru I had been a part of the ordination of every other pastor on the council. The Lord has blessed our ministry in Peru far more than we ever imagined.

I started my Monday night Bible classes here in Huanuco again this month. We will be teaching Baptist History for a few months before getting into the next course. The average attendance for this class is 34. The students come from our three Baptist churches here in Huanuco. Please pray that the students will study and learn. Until next month.

Serving Jesus in Peru,

Sheridan and Anita Stanton