October 26, 2002

Hello to all,

Once again I find myself writing one of these generic letters, but time does not afford me the privilege of writing individually. This is the best way that I can keep in touch with many. 

We have now been back in Peru almost 6 months and the time has flown while the work has increased. Each day finds us doing double duty work hours but we are loving it also. God is blessing the work, many have come to Him as Savior, been obedient in baptism, and are blooming like Spring flowers in their spiritual growth. It is exciting to see the hand of God at work. 

Sheridan just finished another session of Institute. In September he went to Iquitos and taught the class there. The attendance and reception of course was very good. Two weeks ago we had classes here in Huanuco. Thirty five men came, studied the entire week and hopefully returned to their congregations with new teachings. As with all sessions of Institute, I have the responsibility to care for their physical hunger while they are receiving spiritual food. This session, I had many of the ladies of the church volunteer to help and it was a blessing. Thirty-five preachers can eat a lot of food!!! I was grateful for the help and thankful that God provided in all ways during the week. 

The month of September brought a visit from four new friends from Lexington, KY. They are friends of my sister and when they learned she had a missionary sister in Peru, they got in touch with us. They had been planning a trip to Peru and wanted information. We were able to help them plan and carry out a wonderful trip to almost all regions of Peru. They arrived in Lima when Sheridan was planning to travel to Iquitos. Therefore, they went with him and had a "once in a lifetime" experience of jungle trekking for 4 days and 3 nights. (We dare not ask them if they would do it again!). From Iquitos they returned to Lima, and then came to Huanuco for a visit. They were with us over a weekend and had the opportunity to experience our services and meet our wonderful Peruvian friends. From Huanuco, I joined them and Sheridan for an all expense paid trip to Ica, Paracus, Cusco, and Puno. They were most gracious to include us in the travels and we had a wonderful time. It was the first time Sheridan and I had gone to Puno and seen the floating islands. It was really weird walking on them. We returned to Lima and they had time to, of course, "shop"! They left us with a better knowledge of the country and the mission work. 

We always love to share the work with our friends, so if you are looking for a travel adventure, we welcome you!!

The work here in Huanuco is growing. The young couple that the church called as Co Pastor has been a blessing to us. The ladies' group has blossomed into a strong spiritual pillar of the church. We now have an average of 35 ladies in attendance and all are involved in the work. I am still working, week by week, on the translation of the book, "A Woman's Journey to The Heart of God". It is a job that requires many hours of work weekly, but is proving to be well worth the time and effort. God is using the study to bless my heart and life in new ways and He is working in the lives of the ladies also. We are all grateful for the teachings and experiences with Him.

The church is doing well. We also spiritual growth there. There have been some people returning after being out of church for more than 20 years. This church has gone through many trials and sadly, many of its former leaders were not faithful. With many bad examples, and many hard times, they have triumphed with God's help. We are far from perfect, but daily striving for that calling. 

While in Cusco last month, God gave Sheridan and I a wonderful opportunity to meet some new friends. The manner in which we met was definitely the hand of God at work. After being with these "strangers" only a few minutes, they began to confide in us about some marital problems they were experiencing. Recently, both had trusted Christ, but lacked the basic teachings for spiritual growth. After spending time with them, we promised to send them materials to help them in their development and daily walk. It was sad to think that we would be so far away and not be able to have physical contact with them, but we are sure God will bless His word as they study the materials. It simply makes us aware of how many people are groping in darkness and the awesome responsibility we have to reach them. We are maintaining contact with Ruth and Victor by phone and pray for wisdom and understanding of God to help them.

A word about our children. Leah continues to live in Northern KY and work in Cincinnati. She plans to move to Louisville in several months and work in the new office that her company is opening there. Josh is now in training at Goodfellow AFB in Texas. He will complete Intelligence training in the Spring and then be assigned to his first duty. As a mother, I am concerned just where that might be, but I also know and believe that God is in control and has His hand on him. Neither will be able to come to Peru for Christmas. They do hope to be able to come for a visit perhaps in the Spring when Josh finishes training and has a leave. This will be the first Christmas we have been without our children. However, I have plenty of "children" here in Peru and plan to do all possible to make it a special time for them! God is good to fill our voids no matter what they may be.

Even though the correspondence is not always frequent, we do think and pray for you all. If it were not for friends, family and churches who loved us and God's work, we would not be able to share these blessings with you. We are seeing such a need for printed literature and do spend much of our time producing this. Again, an invitation to come and see the work for yourself. We would love to have you and be able to allowing you to be a part of us. Always, remember, The Sheridan Inn is ALWAYS open, ALWAYS has vacancies, and ALWAYS is free!!!! What better deal are you looking for??????

May God bless each of you more abundantly than you can imagine. We love and cherish your friendships.

Anita and Sheridan

October 28, 2002

Dear Friends,

As I was looking back over my agenda book for this year, I noticed that souls have been saved here in Huanuco every month since Anita and I returned from furlough in May. Praise the Lord! This means we also baptized every month. Going over my records, the last seven people that I've baptized have been grown men. God has been blessing our church by restoring families and couples. Many of our ladies have suffered for years with unbelieving and abusive husbands. Their faithful witness and prayers are paying off. Several of these men have been those I baptized this past month. Isn't the Lord wonderful? 

The church here in Huanuco continues to grow for the glory of the Lord. Our three mission works out of this church are also picking up. Sunday School is on the increase because of some new emphasis in that area.

I traveled out to the central jungle town of Pucallpa this month to help one or our former young preachers, David Olortegui, in a new mission work that he has started under the authority of one of our churches in Pucallpa. David is getting married in December and has asked me to return to Pucallpa and perform the wedding. It was a joy to see how God had developed this young "boy" into a young "man of God."

I reported last month that the work in Huaral had a set back due to some red tape in getting the construction permit. We are still working on that one. Not much more to report. However, the church in Huaral has two mission works that are doing very well.

Last month I reported on a piece of property for sale in Huariaca (one of our mission works). The Lord blessed with two churches sending enough funds to cover the cost. Now we have a lot of paper work to do before the purchase is made. But praise God for his blessings in this way. He knows the needs and always provides.

Anita and I will be traveling tomorrow to the north mountain city of Cajamarca. I have been asked to bring a series of lectures on Baptist History using the book "The Trail of Blood." We are looking forward to the trip and seeing those brethren again.

Serving Jesus in Peru,

Sheridan and Anita Stanton

Sheridan Stanton baptizing in Huanuco, Peru