No more school

Here is a little update now that the Creative Ministry and Syracuse teams have gone...

We are now up to 44 people who have made a decision to accept Christ for the summer. I know numbers may not be the most important things ever, but it definitely helps me see how God has been working and using us this summer. This morning numbers two more girls came to Christ, ages 18 and 19. They just showed up to talk more about the Bible, because Egardo had talked to them earlier in the week. They came to accept Christ today and more than that, they have agreed to help us lead our youth study/group that we are starting this Sunday at 3. Please keep that meeting in your prayers, that kids would rememeber and show up and also that we could really help the kids get excited about the Bible and God more before we leave.

Also, on Monday the we tried to get the CMT into the colegio to present their stuff for the kids before they left that afternoon. We got there and they said they had examinations and evaluations so we wouldn´t be able to get in that day. Later on that night, Trevor and I were talking with some kids and found out that we were lied to. There was no exams or anything that day. The kids had been told that in the news there was stories about gringo missionaries who are here to kill children, and take their organs to make oil to bring back to the states. We do not know if the teachers actually believe this or not, but it is what the kids are being told here. Later on in the night, the English teacher came by to tell us that they had evaluations and exams all week and that the next week she would be on vacation so we wouldn´t be able to teach at the schools at all anymore. (We then came to find out that all of that is a lie).

Also, on Monday while we were waiting outside the school to find out if we would be able to get in there, one of the ladies who was very against us earlier in the week was there. She made her body into a cross and faced the wall right in front of us to mock us. There is obviuosly a lot of spiritual warfare going on, with lies being spread and a lot of opposition against us teaching their kids anymore here in Laramate. Please keep that in your prayers, that we would be able to continue to show love here in Laramate and in doing so break down any lies being told against us here.

With this new found time, since we are not teaching in the schools, we are devoting ourselves to getting together groups of Bible studies before we leave. Lourdes has agreed to be our leader, though she is still very fearful and self-conscience about the whole process. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. This morning we had our first meeting about leading here, and she seemed a bit overwhelmed. On a positive note, however, Adrien was also there and is on board as being one of our leaders here. Being that Adrien and Lourdes have a lot of interaction, being that they both teach in the institute, and both travel to Ica often where the Pastor lives, this is a great first step for leadership here in Laramate.

Continue to keep the school situation and leadership issues in your prayers. Also, if you could, pray for me, I woke up pretty sick this morning with all kinds of sinus problems and sore throat and crap. Thanks.

- Matt