This past month has been both thrilling and exciting. We kicked off the month with a banquet for our young people, which we plan on making an annual event. We enjoyed a first-class banquet complete with the best of Peruvian food. Following the banquet, the young people were recognized for their hard work this past year. It’s exciting to see that although we have only been here about a year and a half, our young people are growing in their personal walk and learning to minister as well. We were able to give out awards to faithful soul winners, young people who have gone to help start churches in other districts, and those who have participated in our program and outreach ministries as well. It was also a blessing because we believe it gave our newest young people a vision for what God can do in their lives this coming year. After the banquet we took this quick picture with Luis, Mayer, and their three children. They are now running a Bible Study Ministry, which recently had 50 people attending. We’re ecstatic about their desire to spread the Gospel, see others accept Christ, and receive His love.
The next weekend we took a group of our church people caroling to several police stations and even a fire house. Unfortunately, the police are not respected well here as they are in the States, so it was a blessing for them to have us express our love to them. We brought a few baskets of goodies and non-perishable items to each place we visited. Each one was received with much gratitude and joy.
We also were blessed to get to participate in a medical campaign out in Alto Peru. Doctors, nurses, and dentists came out to give free medical care to the people there who cannot afford it. We got to be the first stop of help for each person who came! Before they were helped with medical care, we were given the opportunity to witness to them. Over 40 people received Christ as their Saviour that day!
We hope each one of you had a very Merry Christmas! As we look forward to this New Year, may we always keep our eyes on the One Who is the reason for life.
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
In His service,
Daniel and Heather Kokubun