2012 – April

Building the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God exists anywhere that God’s Word is obeyed and He is honored as the supreme King. This fantastic statement concerning the Kingdom of God succinctly iterates a simple truth, and we are witnessing His kingdom at work in Peru, right within the walls of the Santa Maria Orphanage. Here’s what has been going on…

The government in Peru has demanded a few things of the orphanage, things that are expensive and a bit burdensome to complete. However, because God’s Word tells us to submit to the governing authorities that He has established, as though submitting unto the Lord, we are able with joy to assist the orphanage in their compliance and to know that with such obedience to His Word, the Lord is pleased. Though the orphanage has existed in that location for 46 years, the government has no building plans in their archives for any of the various construction projects that have taken place down through the years at the orphanage. Therefore, they are now demanding the orphanage to furnish them with building plans for each of the buildings that currently exist on the property. Additionally, there is a fourteen-foot-high fence on the property—approximately 2,000 feet long—which the government is demanding to be heightened. Complying with both of these requirements is certainly going to cost money that the orphanage does not have. But, WE CAN HELP THEM. By assisting them with this need, we are affirming to them and to the children that the WHOLE of God’s Word is to be obeyed; and when His Word is obeyed, the Kingdom of God is really made manifest in their midst. That IS building His Kingdom…though seemingly unimportant and inglorious to us.

In Peru, which has a completely different educational calendar than that of the United States, the beginning of the 2012 school year just launched during the second week of March. The children are eagerly learning, and we have been very pleased to note their sincere desire for learning the Word of God, as well. You will recall that during one of our recent visits, we were able to supply them with Bibles, thanks to your generous support. In fact, we want to thank Timothy Alms and his family for assisting us with getting the Bibles from Biblica (a ministry that reaches out to Latin countries by providing New Testaments). Additionally, Mary Jean Powers (from Get the Word Out ministry) has donated complete Bibles for the rest of the young boys who did not receive complete Bibles the first time we took them over.

When Tony handed the children their Bibles last time, they received them with great excitement, never having had Bibles before in their lives! They have now dedicated themselves to reading God’s Word, and often ask their tutors many questions about the Bible. We are planning to take additional Bibles during our upcoming trip. Thank you for making it possible for us to minister to the Santa Maria home; together, we are making a difference in the lives of the children…not only by feeding them physically, but also through giving them spiritual food and drink…the precious Word of God.

As we continue to build God’s kingdom in Peru, we ask you to remain involved in this great work in some way or another. Your prayers for us are critical to our effectiveness. Your giving is crucial, as well. It is not the type of “ministry” that affords one much immediate gratification, for you may never receive a thank you card from the children, or be recognized in any way for your sacrificial partnership towards their wellbeing. But then again, if that was what mattered to you then I suppose you wouldn’t be on this journey with us anyways, because this journey has never been about you. It has been about little children in desperate situations; it’s been about bringing hope and healing, and it’s been about JESUS and what HE calls precious to His heart. Thank you for being involved.

With deep gratitude,
Rosa Rivera
Homes of Refuge, International