December 2022 Prayer Letter
December 12, 2022
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Dear Family and Friends,
First and foremost, I want to thank you for your ongoing love, support and prayers. Your friendship and partnership are very much a part of this ministry and I thank you for your involvement.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10
The Pastor/Leader Conference this past October was a great blessing to all who participated. We give God all the glory for making the hard work of planning, preparation, and final presentation such a huge success. There were a total of 600 attendees during the 2 weeks of programs. This incredible group included:
37 visiting pastors/leaders, their families and other members of their church attending the teaching sessions.
52 women participated in the sewing class. Marlie, who supervised the sewing classes, was an unexpected blessing as she generously volunteered her time and skills.
62 men attended the chainsaw/small motor repair class
cooks managed to keep the group fed each day with rice, fish and plantains.
2 interpreters enabled the speakers to make God’s Word come alive!
3 visiting teachers (Ed Brauer, Pete Emery and Felix) shared their hearts, love and joy for the Lord with everyone.
To sum it up: we really felt that all involved were greatly encouraged and are looking forward to next year’s conference and instructional workshops. We have also begun to notice how walls are beginning to break down between the numerous tribes. All things are possible when God is in charge!
Pete Emery Shares:
A huge thank you to all who prayed for Ed Brauer and myself for our trip to help Clif with the annual Pastor/Leader Conference in San Lorenzo, Peru. Ed and I arrived in Iquitos on October 19th and spent the day with Clif getting ready for the 10 hour boat trip to San Lorenzo. Praise God all went well and we arrived safely. The next day was Sunday so we opened the week with a praise and prayer service. The indigenous pastors requested we teach the message on “The Return of Jesus Christ” based on Mathew 24. Monday started with 3-one hour sessions in the morning and a question and answer session each evening. Ed, Felix (a Peruvian pastor selected by Clif) and I would do a session each day for the 5-day program.
There were 37 pastors with four different tribes present. Some people traveling 3-5 days by canoe to attended. (Kandoshi, Shawi, Quechua and Awajun). All these tribes have their own unique language. Each of the indigenous pastors came with their families and members of their community churches. There was a total of 60-100 people attending each session. It was impossible to translate all the teaching so it was decided that Spanish and Kandoshi would be translated. There was a great showing of the Holy Spirit as there was a great response to the teaching. I was so moved at their response. They are so hungry for the Word. After each session, many of the pastors would crowd in front of the white board copying the notes and scriptures. Many came up to give thanks and ask questions. Many conversations continued throughout the day and evenings with much excitement about all they were learning.
The following are highlights of this event that really stood out and touched our hearts:
1. A pastor came up to Ed and I in tears asking for prayer for his church and that God would equip him to reach his people.
2. A young man traveled 5 days with his mother and he was saved on the first evening!! Every day he would come up to me thanking us for what he was learning.
3. So many things took place it is hard to get it all into a short letter.
4. We were blessed to be able to bring 75 Davar Solar Audio Bibles (Davarpartners.org) in 5 local languages. Clif was able to give them all to the pastors. It is hard to relate the excitement and appreciation on the faces of these dear people. Many conversations followed as to how to get more of these Bibles into their hands. And, how we get translators to Lima in order to translate more indigenous languages. There are only 2 or 3 tribal languages that have the entire New testament. Most do not have the Old Testament.
5. There was also a week of training for small motor repair that took place the week before our arrival. In the afternoons, the women learned to sew dresses. Both very useful skills to know as most of these people live far away from civilization.
6. After Ed and I returned to the USA we were exhausted but so excited for all that God had done.
Thank you Holy Spirit for showing up in such a powerful way.
Ed Brauer Shares:
The San Lorenzo 2022 conference was an awesome time of fellowship, teaching and learning. Because of God’s love, many of his children joined in much prayer, in North and South America, before and during the conference. His Spirit moved among those sharing, bringing us into submission to His leading. He nourished the Pastor’s great hunger with the savory meat of His glorious Word. Encouraging all with the Hope of His imminent return.
His grace over came all opposition. As we His servants were greatly strengthened. We were are all broken hearted over the people within their remote villages, that are still blinded by the darkness of unbelief.
The need of greater unity among the tribes was answered in several ways.1. Translating the message into their own language. 2. fans bringing comfort in the heat. I have seen a relaxing in their spirit since my last visit! God is at work within these tribes.
Returning home Pete and I were challenged, one by the accommodations, and the other by no flight on dated ticket for return. Praise God for His guidance and provision that covered these trials. Truly our God is an Awesome God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
MERRY CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS,
Thinking of you with lots of love at Christmas!
Clif
and HAPPY NEW YEAR too!!
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
*Praise~The presence of your prayers was amazing during the conference
*Praise~God always comes through
*Praise~The Lord provides
*Praise~A new tribe Quechua came to conference
*Praise~I received a new donated Samsung tablet from a missionary friend from the UK. (Mine had the black screen of death)
*Pray~ for the Water project to be completed in 2023
*Pray~for funding for the Davar devices (If interested please note on your giving form)
~Ways to Partner with the Lord’s work in Peru~
Short term mission trip
Prayer support
Financial support