The state of emergency due to COVID continues here in Peru! We are so thankful for the opportunities that we find to continue to serve Him and see people saved, even during these uncertain times. We are hoping that the restrictions against churches will be lifted soon, but as of yet, the government has made no mention of reopening churches. As it is, we are recording our services and transmitting them on Facebook Live; people are invited to “help” us do this work, so we can at least connect with the church during the week. Praise the Lord!
We can conduct Bible studies in the more remote areas of the mountains around our church area without fear of police interference, so we have begun meeting several times a week in various communities. We have seen many people saved and have many new converts who are taking discipleship classes and are growing in the Lord! Recently, we helped the community of Cerro Mina with some food for their soup kitchen. My wife asked if the ladies would like to study the Bible with her on Saturdays, and now we have a weekly Bible study of around 13 ladies who have been saved and are taking Level 1 of our discipleship program. Praise the Lord!
We continue to hold Bible studies in other areas as well. Our family recently climbed the hill where one of our faithful men, along with his wife and children, holds a weekly Bible study. About 15 adults and as many children were present. What a blessing it is to pastor such great people! God is really working in many families in our area.
Last week, we held a large outreach day where we provided a bag of groceries to around 600 needy families. They came to the church in groups of 50 or less, where we witnessed to them and offered to help with counseling and programs of the church. Through this, 339 people trusted Christ, and 9 were baptized on the same day! What a blessing! God is working and doing great things even during a pandemic. As a result of this outreach day, we hope to start Bible studies in three of the new areas. Please pray for our workers and our family to be faithful to help those God brings our way.
I realized the other day that we at Iglesia Bautista Internacional San Gabriel have been privileged to see nearly 1,000 people come to Christ during the COVID crisis. This does not include people saved through the efforts of IBI Surco, which is pastored by Bro. Mark Rader. Praise the Lord! His ways are higher than our ways.
We still hold all our services online on Facebook, and we also have classes via Zoom. Our institute is completely virtual as well; we have a great enrollment of more than 45 students studying to learn to do more for Christ.
Please pray for us. We pray for you.
His for souls,
Zach and Karin Foust
Below are some pictures of our recent big day and some Bible study pictures.
