HALO teams encounters various trials....

.....Jesus overcomes!!!

Miles physically assaulted on the street!
The attack came out of nowhere, Miles was just minding his own business when a boy came out of the shadows and punched him across the face....OUCH!!! We praise God for a Godly boy who did not react in anger, fear, or revenge. He only wanted to pray for the boy and forgive him. "This is why we are here Miles" I said, "think how much this boy needs Jesus."

It is a small community where we are working, and so when Miles saw the boy again, he began playing with him, sharing with him, and before you know it...the boy is following us everywhere we go. Now they are great friends and the boy (Mickey) even cried the last time we had to leave to go back to Lima. Isn't the Grace of God wonderful???

Street thugs confront HALO team!!
There was a spirit in the air, and it wasn't the Holy Spirit! We had been doing a lot of ministry at the mission, and in the evening, on our way out of the community, a couple thugs got in my face. I played nice guy, but that didn't work. They finally got in my face. "don't come back!" they said with all sincerity.

This wasn't the first time this had happened. We had frequent verbal assaults, and even threats of violence and theft. Of course, this only established our resolve even more that this community needed the light of Christ.

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of love, power and a sound mind"

and so, we prayed for the Lord to work on our behalf (And thanks to the many intercessors who pray for us as well....as you can understand, we need it. We are "behind enemy lines".)

And the Lord worked in such a beautiful way......

You see, we could have shrunk back, we could have simply avoided the thugs, we could have called the police, we could have confronted them in the daytime..........Instead, we called on the Lord and HE delivered!

As it turns out.....The community of Cerro del Carmen rose up in our defense!!!! The grandmas, the mothers, the sisters confronted the thugs (rather aggressively I might add)!!!! They told them they would pay if they treated us that way again. "They are helping us and our kids" the told them.

I thought of the line out of the movie Gladiator "win the crowd and you win your freedom"
Now the thugs walk by and give us "high fives" They know we are sharing the love of Jesus, they know we are Christians, and they know we have come to help. So we give God the glory and thanks for answering our prayers for deliverance from our accusers.

Since these episodes, we have had zero problems with the thugs and gangs...and some even drop by for visits and conversation!!!

Graham Fuego contracts lice infestation!

It is not surprising that Graham had "more than a hundred" lice climbing through his beautiful curly hair. "We have to cut it" I told Jennie "his hair has now become HABITAT" And so the delicate baby locks came off....and the lice shampoo was administered! Believe me...It had us all itching!!!!!

Suicide averted after woman gets "second chance"

Olga was at the end of her rope....dirt poor, abused by her drunk husband, no food for her children, and completely alone. As she shared her story, she broke down in tears. This was the first time she had experienced the Love of Jesus! The Love of the Father! She was beside herself!!!! She had the plan to take her life....But Jesus had the same plan!!!! He took her life of pain, sorrow and sin, and gave her HIS life. Olga has become a dear friend in Cerro del Carmen. She has even invited us to her straw shack for dinner this next week. Should be an adventure..........

Hundreds of children blessed at Christmas!!!
We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of provision for the poor in Peru. Because of our partners, members, family, friends, and churches in the states...we were able to touch many, many children.

Thank you all for giving your hard earned money....Even one friend gave his entire Christmas bonus from work ($400)!! Some of you from the states gave toys, very nice toys I might add!! And so, let me remind you.....we work mainly with the fatherless and orphan. The poorest of the poor. We lavished on them toys, cake and hot chocolate at a nice park, away from their destitute conditions. We brought clowns who shared the gospel. The toys you gave were the only toys these children would recieve!!!

And may I remind you this wasn't a one time shot with these kids. We minister to these kids every week now. I call them my "patitos" - my baby ducks!!! We are almost knocked over by hugs every time we come to see them.

And get this....we rarely bring them stuff!!! We have found it is best not to be associated with toys, candy, and gifts. We would rather they come for our friendship and relationship rather than a handout!!! Sure, if there are needs, we step up...but the greatest need here is by far...

FATHERS!!!

Christmas eve in a widow's shack!!

We all agreed it was the most unique Christmas eve we ever celebrated. Crammed in a 9 by 9 shack to celebrate with a family we have come to love. The orphaned children call me PAPA and they had never had a tree, or presence. at Christmas. And we had another surprise....we were spending the night at their house!!! Jennie slept on a lice infested cot with no mattress over the dirt floor, while I slept on the floor with the orphans, roaches, and chickens. It couldn't have been more delightful.............

And finally.......We are doing fine....Jennie and I and the boys are healthy, and full of Joy and expectation as to what Jesus will do next. We are very busy.....language school during the week, then the Mission on the weekends. Jennie is not just a wonder woman...she is a sign and a wonder woman.....A great mom to the boys!!!! Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.....It has not been easy.....but than..... neither is climbing a mountain. BUT WHAT A VIEW!!!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL AS YOU SERVE GOD AND SERVE OTHERS!!

Please pray.........for laborors!!!!! Pray for the church in Peru to catch the vision of Heaven for their people. The fields are white!!!!