“We were shocked to learn that 40% of the pupils’ parents are involved with drug trafficking and violence, and at least one parent per household is in prison. The children's mindset seems to have already accepted that, by the age of 17, they will be in jail too. This stunned us.

Four years ago, the school appointed a new principal and Pastor Renato Antinori was invited to bring his programme to the school. On the first day he was there, the children didn't want to listen to him. They threatened him and then proceeded to rob him; stealing everything he had brought except his computer and speaker. The oldest child in the school was 12 years old.

Pastor Renato did not shout at the students or even try to stop them. He simply told the principal that he would not be back, since all his toys, sweets and equipment had been stolen. The headmistress was so impressed by the way he handled the situation that she replied, 'Please come back next Thursday' – so he did. I think I would have run for the hills!

Over time, the children have calmed down and now they love the pastor’s visits. Their response to this programme is nothing short of a miracle. Seeing them interact with him amazed me, considering their history. He has persevered and God has worked wonders in the hearts of many of these young people. This is clear to me that God's love always overcomes evil.

The pastor and his wife work in nine schools, reaching out to thousands of children each week. They run the Peruvian branch of Metro World Child, an international ministry that teaches Biblical values and introduces young people to Jesus. It was our privilege to join their visit to this school; telling the kids how we serve God on board a ship and sharing some of our experiences.

We pray for these young people to be protected from the negative influences around them, that they may come to know the Lord personally and that they will find and fulfil the God-given purpose for their lives.

We praise God for Pastor Renato and his wife, Irma, and were blessed by their example of faithful service and trusting the Lord for all their needs.”

That journey most recently included fording a raging mountain river, climbing some 12,000 steep, narrow steps (according to rumour; no one actually counted the stairs) and summiting the 4,600 m (15,090 ft.) Salkanty Pass during a five-day trek to Machu Picchu, Peru.

Forty women participated in the Salkanty Trek; fifty per cent were first-time climbers. The multi-generational, international group raised about $250,000 USD for the Freedom Challenge, a ministry of OM, to fund projects helping oppressed and enslaved women and children around the world. “These women—fierce, godly, unified, like-minded women—had Jesus on their minds. There was so much spiritual breakthrough on those mountains,” Tracy described.

Alex Arpag, an OM videographer who accompanied the women on the trek, agreed: “Every time they had the opportunity to be scared, they were brave. Every opportunity they had to complain, they praised. Every mountain they faced, they prayed for the victims they were raising money for. …I saw God in every one of those women.”

Some of the climbers, who came from five different countries, regularly interacted with women who had been trafficked and exploited. Others first realised human trafficking was a modern problem when they signed up for the Freedom Challenge.

Irina Lambru (Moldova), works with a non-profit organisation called Beginning of Life, which aims to restore women who suffer from different kinds of sexual exploitation or are impacted by social injustice. “I am a part of this climb because I want my people, our people from Moldova, to know that the problem and the issue of trafficking and exploitation still exists. … And I want those people who don’t have a voice, that their voices will be heard at the top of the mountain.”

Denise Heppner (Canada) got involved with organising the Freedom Challenge in Canada after a missionary shared about the initiative in her church. “I’m just a mom. What can I do?” she wondered at the time.

Nonetheless, Denise said God laid it on her heart to do something. “Once you open that door, you can’t close it. When you’ve seen what’s on the other side, you can’t go back,” she explained. “God has changed my heart so much and opened my eyes to things that are so incredible.”

Since her first climb with the Freedom Challenge to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Denise has actively shared information about human trafficking with churches in her neighbourhood and beyond. Taking part in the Machu Picchu climb, however, was more personal. “This one’s for me,” she stated.

“I have a lot of different things going on in my life: a lot of challenges, a lot of changes, a lot of scary unknowns, and I really have a heart for these projects and these women, but I’ve also seen what [the Freedom Challenge] does in women’s lives. It’s really empowering. God meets you on the mountain, He gives you messages and beautiful images and stories just for you. And these women come out of it empowered and changed.”

Through money raised by participants, the Freedom Challenge supports projects around the world geared at rescue and restoration of women who have been trafficked as well as prevention for those who are at risk.

To date, the Freedom Challenge has raised $450,000 USD in 2017. “What I love about Freedom Challenge is that women are not just writing cheques; there’s such a personal investment of themselves,” Tracy said.

Nicole James is a world traveller and writer for OM International. She’s passionate about partnering with fields to communicate the ways God is working across the globe.

During a recent visit to Peru for a Global Missions Council meeting, it was apparent that God desired to see Peruvians mobilised for ministry—in the Muslim world particularly, but also in Peru itself.

Mayelo’s comment followed an OM Peru medical outreach in the city of Chincha Alta, where an international team of 21 medical professionals, including paediatricians, gynaecologists, internal medicine specialists and nurses attended to more than 950 patients of varying needs. Even more victorious for the kingdom of God were the 195 people who reportedly accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour during the outreach.

The Andean Region nation also played host to the Global Mission Council meeting, which provided awareness to the Peruvian and Latin American church of the intense necessity and opportunities in the Muslim World that awaited missionaries from Latin America.

“Peru’s presence is even more than timely when you consider the sheer size of the members at this meeting,” commented OM team member Rodrigo Vargas, serving in Paraguay.

With OM Founder George Verwer as the key speaker for morning devotions, among other experienced Muslim World speakers on the line up, OM’s presence at the Council gathered a wave of interested missionaries who already serve in their local unreached communities.

“I am sure that if OM can couple their efforts with what the Global Missions Council is doing to mobilise more Peruvians, the kingdom of God would be closer, and more dynamic,” remarked Stephanie, a Peruvian bookseller. Stephanie also elaborated on the interesting book distribution model of offering a wide variety of titles for only a small donation, which was also a highlight at the event in Peru.

“It’s been an eventful time here in Peru—the Global Missions Council’s event, along with the amazing testimonies of God’s hand at work with the OM Peru medical outreach,” exhorted George Verwer, as he reflected on the impact of the week. “It shows me that there is much work happening, and yet to happen, in Latin America. I charge you all to continue in this vineyard as God’s good and faithful servants. And I’ll make sure this Andean Region receives more literature, and soon!”

Without a measure of doubt, there is a clear call and spiritual responsiveness from God for the people of Peru. In this era of mobilisation and recruitment for OM’s increased presence there, your prayer in this way serves as a collective recognition that the nation of Peru is indeed in the plan of God.

A native of the Bahamas, Katanga Johnson is a missionary journalist, storyteller, financial development coordinator and follower (not merely a fan) of Christ, serving in Ecuador. Katanga aims to actualise the love and faith of Christ to challenged communities by identifying aid and resources that impact their local living conditions.  

They visited 4 different villages: Chulucanas, Los Zapatas, CP8 and Batanes. In every village they spent 2 days visiting the people. They partnered with a local church called ‘House of Prayer’ in Chulucanas. The pastors of this nomination are following up with the people who gave their life to Jesus during the medical outreach.

In total, the team attended over 500 people in Alto Piura. They helped people with both physical as well as psychological needs. Besides this, they gave spiritual care after sharing the gospel with every patient. During the 8 days of the outreach, 78 persons gave their lives to Jesus, accepting Him as their Lord and Saviour. Please pray with OM Peru that God will become the hope of life for the people in Alto Piura.

Seven volunteers in OM Peru’s outreach to Tarapoto and Moyobamba attended patients, shared knowledge on parenting and gave workshops on working with adolescents and how to form a Sunday school. Meanwhile, they shared the gospel.

OM Peru supports churches in the interior of the country with missions trips. On a recent outreach to several towns in the Amazon jungle, they worked with the Presbyterian Church of Moyabamba and its annexes in Yantalo, Algarrobos, Jalapecio and the city of Tarapoto.

“It is a zone that is very much affected by the rains and the overflow of rivers, and many acres are flooded,” says Mayelo Gensollén, leader of OM Peru.

The team was made up of one doctor, a psychologist, a physical therapist, a Sunday school trainer, amongst others. The doctor attended to 332 patients during the 10 working days; the psychologist gave talks for parents and helped 24 families and young people. The physical therapist worked with 23 people in pain.

Above all, 37 people who came for help or participated in a workshop gave their life to the Lord during the outreach. Several others were reconciled to the Lord. Please pray for these new believers and for the churches in the area of Tarapoto and Moyobamba. Pray also for the next trip scheduled by OM Peru, to Sechura, and for new opportunities to share the gospel throughout the country.

Working together with local evangelical churches, they made their base in Chulucanas and from there served the towns of Paccha, Callejones, Las Chuicas and Pedregal. They diagnosed 362 patients, treated them and gave them medicines for their ailments.

In Callejones and Pedregal, the team psychologist gave talks about domestic violence, a common occurrence in poor communities. Fifty-four people attended and asked many questions.

After a church service in Pedregal, in which team member Silvia Baldeón preached, an elderly woman came forward. “She said that she didn’t have many things to offer us,” said Mayelo. “She only had some eggs from her laying hen. She gave one egg for each member of the team and two for Silvia for having preached.” For the team, this was like the ‘widow’s mite’, a great gift for their ministry to the people of Piura.

After finishing the project in Pucusana, Mayelo and his wife, Any, spoke at a week-long mobilising conference. The conference, organised by the Alliance Church, focused on missions and took place during the first week of August. It was the third consecutive year OM Peru had been invited to share at the conference. “Most of the participants were university students, so we decided to give workshops on ‘The Tentmakers’,” said Mayelo. Nearly 150 people participated in the event. Please pray that God will use this conference to mobilize more Latino youth to the mission field.

In 2007, an earthquake almost destroyed the town. Now, almost four years later, many conditions remain the same. Mayelo Gensollen, leader of OM Peru, shared, “We should pray for the church, asking God to continue using the church to disciple the new believers.” Please pray for OM Peru, the Assembles of God church in Chincha and the new believers.
 

Many of the town’s people work in the surrounding fields or in the local straw hat workshops. “Almost all of the villagers walked through the streets barefooted, and many showed signs of personal neglect,” shared Mayelo Gensollen, leader of OM Peru, “but that didn’t stop us from demonstrating that God had interest in them through a hug or a smile.”

Of the nearly 1000 patients that received medical attention during the week, one was very special. The first day of the clinic brought Lucas, a young boy that had received attention from a clinic held by OM Peru in 2006. During his visit, doctors had discovered that Lucas was suffering from a heart defect. The solution required open heart surgery. The doctors donated the money needed for Lucas to travel and receive the operation in Lima.

One of those doctors in 2006 was Pat Raley. Pat had returned on this medical outreach and had the opportunity to reconnect with Lucas. “It was an emotional reunion,” recalled Mayelo, “Dr. Raley was able to examine Lucas, and was filled with joy to see that he was doing great, he is a healthy boy.”

As the clinic carried on, the word about the free medical attention and pharmacy spread throughout the town. The line grew as more and more people arrived and waited to receive attention. Thankfully, the team was able to attend to the needs of nearly every person who came.

No drugs

The emotional reunion between Dr. Raley and Lucas was not the only special highlight from the medical outreach. Mayelo shared an encounter with a man who visited the team. “One particular patient arrived at the clinic very sad and crying, due to a problem he was having with his family. We had the chance to counsel him and express God’s love for him and interest in his life. When the man left, he said, ‘I don’t need drugs, I just need to walk with God and read His Word’.”

OM Peru would like to thank everyone who prayed for the success of this medical program. Your prayers were answered in a powerful way.

“We were working very hard, but we´re completely satisfied to see the lives of the people surprised by the realization of God’s love and care for them”, shared Mayelo Gensollen, leader of OM Peru. During the clinic, the team took the opportunity to share the message of God’s love with those waiting to receive attention.

“Several of our patients were elderly. One patient stood out to me. His name is Jose Mori and he is 93 years old. We were able to give him a wooden cane to walk. He was so excited to be able to walk. He had been invited to participate in a parade for veterans but couldn’t because of the difficulty he had with walking. During his time at the clinic my wife, Any, took some time to talk with him about Christ’s gift and the need for repentance, but Jose did not respond and left”.

Minutes later Jose returned and began looking for Any. He asked her what he had to do to find forgiveness for sins. Any responded by telling him about Christ’s salvation, and he accepted Jesus that day. “We were so joyful to see him walking away using his cane with a face of joy and thankfulness for what God had done”, recalled Mayelo. 

Community

On July 27th, the team travelled to Laredo. Laredo is a small town located 40 kilometres outside Trujillo and lacks running water, power and basic necessities. The team had the opportunity to share the plan of salvation with the people of the community and many children.

“We were excited to see the response from the children, how they understood their need to accept Christ”, shared Mayelo. The team was able to give the children vitamins and anti-parasite pills.

“In all we were able to see over 350 patients in the clinic and 60 people give their lives to the Lord. We finished this clinic realizing that God is good and faithful and we were excited to be used by Him to accomplish His will.”

It was a long day, with four classes in the morning and three in the afternoon, plus interacting with the attendants more personally over lunch.

“It was a cold afternoon, but we were warmed by the response of our attendees, it was special”, shared Mayelo Gensollen, leader of OM Peru. “They had a great interest and desire to learn more about God’s Word while also learning how they can communicate the Bible effectively.”

The seminars were given in “Ville el Salvador” a poorer district located in the south of Lima, Peru's capital. “The district of the city where we were is a place of extreme poverty and several needs. The people don’t have values or fear of God. They do not have hope. But, the Christians at these seminars separated their time to be ‘lights’ during this time and in this place.”

Mayello shared that the training has brought great joy. “It's great to have been used in the training of fellow believers that can use the training to carry the gospel of the Lord to the ends of the earth. Our prayer is that the lives of these believers will be strengthened even more in Christ and that His passion to win souls and share the Gospel will grow within them.”