May 7, 2008

Dear Friends,

Reports from Peru are very good. Most of the reports not only tell us how much they are praying for Anita but they also tell us how the different mission works are advancing. We would like to present a need for one of our National Peruvian Missionaries, Miguel Gargate. He works out of the jungle town of Tingo Maria and has started three different mission works deeper into the interior of the jungle. There are no roads to these villages, only paths that horses or a motorcycle can move upon. So the need for Miguel is a motorcycle (cost of about $1,300). He has walked most of the time and borrowed others’ motorcycles some of the time in order to get to these works, but he really needs his own motorcycle. He is a faithful Man of God, married with two children. I had the privilege of ordaining him to the ministry about eight years ago. If any church or individual would like to help in this endeavor please send your offering to Baptist Faith Mission and designate it for Stanton – Miguel Motorcycle.

Speaking of Baptist Faith Missions, Anita and I had a great time participating in the BFM Spring Mission Conference at Thompson Road Baptist Church, Pastor Dave Parks, the second week of April. The conference was very well attended and a good spirit manifested by all speakers and attendees. BFM’s middle name is “FAITH” and we all work in the Lord’s work by faith. In case some of you do not know BFM has taken on three new missionaries in the past few years. The truth is, our offerings have stayed pretty much the same and the added expense of new workers has placed us in a “test of our faith.” During the financial reports given at the annual conference it was manifested that it takes about forty-thousand dollars to maintain one missionary family on the foreign field for one year. If each supporting family would give an additional ten to fifteen dollars per month through your local church to the General Fund of BFM this need would be met. The gospel must continue to go forward in the ever faster growing population of sin cursed world in which we live.

Recently a missionary friend of mine, Brother Paul Washer, wrote, "While we recognize that the needs of mankind are many and his sufferings are diverse, we believe that they all spring from a common origin -- the radical depravity of his heart, his enmity toward God, and his rejection of truth. Therefore, we believe that the greatest benefit to mankind can be accomplished through the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of local churches that proclaim the full counsel of God's Word and minister according to its commands, precepts, and wisdom. Such a work cannot be accomplished through the arm of the flesh, but only through the supernatural providence of God and the means which He has ordained: Biblical preaching, intercessory prayers, sacrificial service, unconditional love and true Christ likeness." If each pastor of each church would seek to motivate each family to give more to missions, I believe, this time of “testing of our faith” would be turned into victory in Jesus.

I would like to finish this report on the “sweetest note,” my dear wife, Anita. She has been responding very well to the chemotherapy treatments for her breast cancer. Her hair is gone but not her faith in God, her love of others, nor her sense of humor! She is still the same Anita as always. She is fatigued easily, but takes advantage of the “down time” to rest and read. We have both been so overwhelmed by the cards and calls expressing your love and concern. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support and to some of our local friends for the meals provided while she is having her “rough week.” Anita and I pray that God will continue to bless you all. She has her third of six scheduled chemo treatments this Friday, 9th of May. The doctor told us yesterday, Tuesday, that after the chemo treatments she will definitely have a complete mastectomy followed by six weeks of radiation. So it looks like we will not be able to return to Peru until around the end of the year. However, I will be making a few short trips back in order to keep things going there. We will also be rescheduling with our supporting churches in order to be able to come and share with you about the Lord’s work in Peru. Please remember to pray for Anita’s health, more support for BFM, and a motorcycle for Miguel Gargate. May God continue to bless you all.

Your Missionaries to Peru - on furlough,

Sheridan and Anita Stanton