June 06, 2003
Huanta, Peru

Dear Friends,

Each Sunday when people begin to arrive for worship at the thriving new congregation that started in November, the orphans of P. Nehemiah can be seen doing their part to prepare the place, to teach and to serve in many different ways.

Outside, Maruja stands at the door with others welcoming those who come and taking children across the street, where Mariela and Ruthy help to teach Sunday school to 20-25 children. After Saturday-night Young Peoples', Fredy Figueroa is up early cleaning and straightening "the chapel", which accommodates 80 people (with some 10 others squeezing into a connecting side room that gives a partial view of the pulpit.) Edgar brings the flowers and arranges them in vases. Cesar, looking smart in a white-ironed shirt and tie, passes out song books and Bibles to those who enter; and Ruben is one of the 3 or 4 guitarists up front who lead the congregation in singing. Ruben is also one of 6 young preachers, who bring the Word.

It is interesting that in the congregation itself there is someone who looks like Ruben. It is his brother. And next to his brother is his cousin - both young fellows singing from their hearts and worshiping the Lord. This year Ruben has been visiting his relatives in a place on the mountain called "San Juan". He has led his younger brother, (who lives alone most of the year while his aunt is off working in the jungle) and two of his cousins to the Lord. Taking Edgar along, in order to mentor him, Ruben goes every week to disciple these young men and their friends. Recently, his older sister, Ellie, and her husband were there for the meeting, and they wept upon hearing the testimony, not only of Ruben, but also of his brother, Heber. Before the meeting concluded, both Ellie and her husband had professed Christ, and now they want to form a group in their home in Ayacucho with a Christian friend of theirs. Also Ruben's aunt and the parents of his cousins have promised to participate in a new home meeting that he's already started in San Juan.

Meanwhile, Mariela is going with 2 others from the mentoring group to the community of Maynay outside of Huanta, where they study the Bible with several people in one home and then hold an evening service for a group in another home. Mariela and Miriam (from the mentoring group) have also been spending time with a business lady in Huanta, who asks questions and studies the Word with them. This lady, who has searched for truth in many different sects and religions, is now finding the One who is the Truth.

Maruja is part of a team that ministers to several families in the home of a newly-converted carpenter. She reports that the Asorza family always awaits their arrival with chairs set up around a room that has a table with flowers on it and another table for refreshments. The group consists of 8 regular adults and 2 children (apart from the team), and these families have been inviting neighbors and friends. They have purchased 7 Bibles and some songbooks; and there is sweet communion, accountability and a real hunger to mature in their knowledge of the Lord.

Maruja and Ruben taught a class of 43 children in VBS in March, and she continues to teach a children's class on Saturdays.

Enriqueta and several other girls, along with Cesar, who plays the guitar, go down into the valley to Leon Pata each week to hold a Bible class for children. Several kids have been led to the Lord.

Richard and David have travelled with another fellow to a town and its two surrounding communities back in the mountains to follow up on several who've shown interest in the Gospel and to try to start 2 groups in that area of Marcas.

Cesar cleans and sets up for Ruthie G's Bible study for Catholic women and for Gerry's breakfasts with town leaders.

Guisela, the lady who cooks for and oversees the Nehemiah kids, also goes out to witness and to disciple several women. All of the girls, which include Jessica and Judith from the mentoring group, are very serviceable and helpful, and Judith is doing a great job mentoring Enriqueta.

Fredy, Ruthy and Cesar are studying this year in the Andean Evengelical Seminary of Huanta. Eliseo is finishing his studies in the Satipo Bible Institute, Freddy Mora is in teachers' school here in Huanta and Wilber continues in the Seminary in Lima, each on his own account.

There is urgent need of prayer for Cesar, who is seriously ill with pneumonia (he just got released from the hospital and is doing better).

Needless to say, there is much for which to be thankful and much about which to pray. As we find ourselves in a work that is overwhelming, we're thankful to be directed by the blessed Controller of all things. Rejoice with us. Your investment has paid off. All of our orphans are happy in the service of the Lord, and our happiness is enormous. Praise the Lord for His doings.

We are gratefully yours,

Gerry and Ruthie Gutierrez

- June 24, 2003