Lima Here We Come!

After a five month furlough extension we are nearly ready to return to Peru!  We are fervently working on "to-do lists" and last minute details.  We have medical records to compile, bags to pack, government paperwork to complete even airline tickets to purchase.   Lord willing, we should be returning to Peru in mid-January.  Here are some ways we'd like to ask you to be praying:

• Pray for our girls as they face the transition back to Peru.  They are excited to be going back but they are sad to say goodbye to so many new friends here in the states.
  
• Pray that the Lord will help us make up a deficit in our monthly support.  God always provides through His people!  Pray that God will lead churches and individuals to help meet this need.
• Pray that the paperwork process in Peru will go smoothly.  Our extended furlough caused us to lose our residency in Peru meaning a lot of paperwork in the days ahead. 
  
• Pray that we will find affordable airline tickets.   We are going to be shopping and hopefully purchasing them within the next day or two.
  

Our church in Peru recently celebrated its anniversary.  We were so excited to hear that the folks had a work day where they painted the building inside and out.  When we return to Peru we will be having a baptismal service and several special events.   It is going to be good to be back home in Lima.  

More Good News about Olivia

We praise the Lord that Olivia has now gone six weeks without a seizure!  Yesterday she had her final medical appointment required before returning to Peru.  The appointment was all good news!  She continues to have very minor sleep apnea that will not require treatment.  She is also tolerating her new medication very well. 

We have already been in touch with doctors in Peru and they are communicating with the medical staff here.  Everyone has assured us that she will receive excellent follow-up care in Lima.   We were very happy that Olivia's pediatrician and neurologist in Lima have already contacted us and are working to help us with any transition back to Peru.  Thank you for your continued prayers for Olivia!

After more than a year of research and testing Pastor Daniel is nearly ready for the surgery needed to remove a large tumor near the base of his brain.  Few doctors in Peru have the knowledge, experience and tools necessary for this type of surgery.   A team of doctors is now confident the surgery can be done successfully.  They also believe it can be done in a less-invasive way than previously thought.  Daniel will actually be hospitalized beginning December 27th and will have the surgery sometime around January 5th.  It is unclear how long Daniel will need to recover. 

Although we will not be able to return before the surgery we are happy to see how God is using this as a growing experience for our church people.  Our most faithful church folks have taken on extra responsibilities and all areas of ministry will be covered.  Even our young people will be participating by leading music.  Please pray that the surgery will be a success and restore Daniel to good health.  We'll keep you updated with details as we receive them. 

 




While we shiver in the cold of Christmas season here in the states our friends in Peru are enjoying the early warm days of summer!  Even now as I write this email the temperature is nearly 80 degrees in Lima. 

Traditionally,  Christmas day is the first day of beach season in Peru.  Yet, Peruvians have accepted American style decorations for the holidays.  Snowmen, icicles, snowflakes, and winter scenes decorate homes and store fronts.   Even hot chocolate is a favorite on Christmas Eve!