May 30, 2003

Dear Friends,

One of the great joys of being a Christian is having a real abiding inner peace in the midst of turmoil and trials. Many of you have written and expressed concern about our safety due to the state of emergency that has been declared in Peru. Anita and I are fine, safe and happy in the Lord's work. The national teachers union in Peru is on strike for higher wages. They demonstrate every day in cities all over Peru and sometimes riots break out. The "campesinos" (farmers) in the region of Huanuco also went on strike and blocked all the major highways and bridges along the central highway last week protesting the privatization of the national water system. Anita and I hear and see the teachers protesting everyday as they pass in front of our house. One day the police shot a tear gas canister at them in front of our house. Needless to say the people on the street were teary eyed for a while. It looks as though at least half if not all of this school year will be lost. I forgot to mention that the court system is also on strike.

Everyone seems to be unhappy in Peru these days except for God's people. That inner peace and even true joy shines through in the midst of the troublesome times for those that know Jesus. The Lord's work continues to go forward. Reports of souls being saved come in from all of the works here in Peru. God is being glorified; Jesus is being lifted up and exalted; and we praise God for each of you that has a part in helping us fulfill our calling of God in this part of the world.

I traveled to a small village outside the town of Tingo Maria this month for three days of special services with a new mission work there. The village is called Naranjillo. We had a good time and the Lord blessed the meetings. I also got word that all the paper work has been finished for the building at the new mission work in Progresso. I hope to be able to help Pastor Samuel Ore with some finances soon to finish the building that was started years ago. Your prayers are requested for both of these new works.

Satan is working just as hard as the Lord's people work. In all of my thirty plus years in the ministry I have never had a counseling situation dealing with incest until now. I have dealt with just about everything else though. A 32 year old woman and her 18 year old step son admitted to the incestuous affair. Sin always brings negative consequences; broken homes, broken hearts, anger and bitterness. But our Lord is gracious and powerful and He is helping this husband and wife find reconciliation. I ask your prayers for them and for me that God continue to give me wisdom in working with them.

Anita and I are getting ready for another class with the Bible Institute here in Huanuco. I will be teaching a course, "Introduction to the Old Testament" beginning the 16th of June. Also my Monday night Bible class continues to be well attended. Anita is in the midst of preparing a whole new series of Sunday School materials for children of all ages. These materials are used in all of our works all over Peru. 

We are looking forward to the BFM Mission Adventures Team's arrival in July. They will be working on a building project at one of our mission works and then take a few days to hike the Inca Trail and site see some. Please be in prayer for these missionary minded young people as they come to serve the Lord in Peru. The Lord used a similar trip back in 1973 to open my eyes to missions and lead to my return to Peru ten years later as a missionary.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and giving. We hope you will come to visit us sometime. There are always vacancies at the Sheridan Inn!

Serving Jesus in Peru.

Sheridan and Anita Stanton