February - March 2003 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends,
There is no limit to what God can do. He has shown himself mighty on our behalf. I would like to thank you all for your prayers and support that has helped us to maintain and advance the ministry that God has given us here in Peru.
In February we began a new deaf ministry in a church in the central-northeast area of Lima in a municipality called San Luis. The Pastor Hermógenes Aguilar has a strong and growing ministry in that area and several deaf live nearby. This church is very excited about this new ministry. Please pray that it will grow and become well established.
At the end of March, my deaf asst. pastor, Jorge Pozo and his family will be moving to Ayacucho to begin a new deaf ministry. There are hundreds of deaf in this southern inland town and no gospel witness for them. Pastor Jorge will be going out from us as a missionary. He plans to begin deaf works in other cities and towns where none currently exist. Ayacucho is his first stop! He is my right hand man and will be greatly missed. Though I lose my assistant pastor, our church gains a new MISSIONARY! Please pray for him, his wife Sofia and their two children that God will keep them safe, healthy and meet their financial needs. Pray for support for them.
In a few weeks missionary Austin Gardner, national pastor Rubén Effio and I, as a team, will begin a new ministry in our Efata facility in Callao which is an hour north of us near the international airport. Currently it is only a ministry for the deaf. However, the facility is large enough and the need is great enough for a good solid Fundamental Baptist Church in the area that ministers to both deaf and hearing people. I have been praying about a more effective use of the facility for over two years. God has answered my prayer by giving us a vision and a new hearing national pastor with like Biblical principles and standards, Bro. Rubén who will be working with us in Callao. Please pray for this expanded outreach.
School begins in a few weeks. We are working on new changes to improve our school and overall ministry to the Deaf. We are in the process of remodeling more space for a much needed new boy’s dormitory. Thank you to those who have given to make this possible. Please Pray for God’s supply to make other needed improvements to our facilities and to have enough monthly to pay the teachers and staff.
On March 17-22 we will be having our annual Pastor’s/Leader’s School. John Olson, Deaf Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL and Missionary to the Deaf Jim Sloan will be here to help train our national pastors and leaders. We are greatly looking forward to this time together of teaching, preaching and fellowship.
The family is doing well. Lisa had a bout with a nasty flu/cough/cold type infirmity that after about a month she is finally getting over. The kids are as vibrant as ever and growing. Me, I’m doing well and staying busy. Please pray for my pastor Richard Riley of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ft. Myers. FL, his dear wife Joyce, their daughter Julie and all of the family in the recent loss of his grandson and Julie’s son Richard. This was an unexpected tragedy and I covet your prayers for my home church family during this difficult time. Preliminary reports are that is was an aneurysm. He was 18.
Please also pray for a dear deaf lady named Carla who trusted Christ as Saviour last week. She was hungry to receive the Gospel. Unfortunately, her husband has forbidden her to come to church. She has such a desire to learn and grow. Pray that God will soften the heart of her husband and that he too will trust Christ.
Your prayers and financial help are greatly appreciated. We have been able to do so much through your sacrifices. There is much more to do. Together as a team, we will succeed in all that the Lord has for us to do,
In Christ’s Service – In Peru
Bro. Joe & Family
Joe & Lisa Kotvas
Joseph, Julianne, James, Jared, Judson, Joy