This is a testimony; Produced by our friend, Linda Adams

After returning from my month in Peru and reflecting on our time there, I want to write in thanks of the prayers covering our mission. When first planning with the couple responsible for the Free Methodist Church in Peru who prioritized where we would serve, I was told by a prophetic friend here to be flexible in my preparations, unlike in my previous trips where my schedule had been jam-packed to maximize the outreach from my teaching programs. I am most thankful for that word. Another friend who heard her also shared that we would face heavy rains, often, and to consider the Holy Spirit as plentiful as the raindrops around us. In reflection, we could not have anticipated how often, long and heavy it would be, both high in the Andes mountains and deep in the Rain Forest. I took that as assurance that God would be in control of our activities, instead of my organization and creativity, thus my expectations shifted.    After adjusting to Spanish life in Lima during our few days with our leaders, storytelling, planning where and how our teaching resources would be shared, we spent over a week in Iquitos. This community had 225 residents under 70 years ago but now has over half a million, most families who have left their traditional Amazon lifestyle. Boats and planes are the only access, but vehicles and fuel tankers come in from Lima so life appears modern. We saw other churches in our travels, but assisted at a new one with an older pastoring couple working out of their home. The congregation has 20 families and we visited most of them for prayer and storytelling. We learned how primitive, tragic and harsh their lives are, yet were awed by the miracles most had experienced, yet never spoken of openly. They were eager and emotional telling us, but perhaps their low sense of self-worth means they think no one cares about their story? Our goal of having them learn to tell bible stories shifted to having them share their testimonies, freely, to encourage each other and evangelize neighbours and friends. The Saturday Adults meeting was when they would tell it, but heavy rains kept about 2/3s at home. Honestly, that too was the Lord's plan, because with a smaller group, there was time for ministry after the emotional accounts. The following weeks would permit the remaining testimonies, as they worked up to encouraging each other.     The other two goals were to teach the worshipping Hebrew dances Lee and I had prepared, and provide tutoring support for the students in the church school. Our visiting schedule was prioritized so our weekend was set for these and weather again was a factor but those who came loved the lessons. Videos sent to us afterwards showed how our examples of leadership became models that the church members used to lead each other. Our greatest outcome was the growth in the pastors serving in their first church. We shared experience and explanations which they embraced: after living worldly lives of addiction and abuse, this couple were like transformed grandparents leading their beloved families to know and trust the Lord. The connections made will ensure ongoing encouragement with them and their church families.   We returned to Lima and debriefed with the lead pastors, then flew to Cusco that same evening. As ideal as the close living arrangements were in Iquitos was as opposite in Cusco. We booked an adequate B&B (with no breakfast) in a central location, did our own meals, bused to church and markets: the pastor's wife teaches 4 hours away in a remote mountain village Monday to Friday, his grown son was home studying for his Master's exams and the pastor was recovering from unexpected eye surgery. I was comfortable with our independence and our pace was a bit slower as we prepared for daily tutoring and ESL lessons for the very poor kids whose parents were working long hours in the city. We traveled packed transit buses up winding slopes, but did not venture much beyond the church yard as the ghetto. We met the pastor and our young translator there and taught 18-20 kids games, songs and skills under the thundering tin church roof as rain poured almost each day. Again, beyond the gains each child made, the pastor and older teen learned about identifying strengths to overcome students' needs, encouraging leadership and developing collaboration. They are continuing our class each Friday afternoon, and I am debriefed afterwards as the translator/new youth leader writes me with questions, praises and prayer needs. He too believes we came to steer him into God's next step.    The lead pastors and team flew in from Lima to host the Community Christmas Party for this impoverished ghetto that we promoted all week. 90 kids, 36 parents and the church's leaders rejoiced under sunny skies with fun, hot cocoa, panettone cake, gifts of new toys and clothes, blankets,  toothbrushes we brought. The surplus was then taken to 3 more villages higher in the mountains after we left, joyously shared by the pastor and new youth leader.  We also taught and listened to their teachers sharing about teaching kids in Peru, led 2 communication activities and prayed.    Lee and I both felt our main purpose was to encourage these sacrificial pastors with tangible examples, and their young leaders who will reinforce the growing churches. By identifying, celebrating and inspiring them to trust God to use them, they all saw themselves bigger than before, like the adults now more willing to speak of His presence in their lives. I believe I will be back, leading some of our young people who will mutually benefit from serving together in these remote settings. May He continue to reveal His purposes through our submission into 2026. Thank you again for your support of our outreach. Linda