A New Church for the New Year
The year 2018 stands before us, each month like an open door waiting for us to walk into blessings and opportunities for expanding God’s kingdom. We hope you are as excited as we are! Each time we think about our next chance to go to Peru, our hearts are filled with anticipation and faith for what God is doing: He is building His Church and adding to Her daily those He has appointed for salvation. Many Peruvians in the Andes Mountains are experiencing a move of God and are HUNGRY for more of His mighty Word! It is exhilarating to be a part of this season.
Our trip in December was incredible, and we want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you whose generosity made it possible for us to bless the children in Lima and Cusco with special Christmas treats. We were able to give out toys, hot chocolate, cake, and candy to the children and mothers in Veronica Mountain. Then, in Cardonpata where we are planning to build the new chapel, we were able to give out 200 toys, 200 small cakes, candy for 200 people, and chocolate for over 200. It was very touching to watch the scene: each time we handed a toy to a child, that child would receive it with great joy and tightly hold the toy to his or her chest, very happy.
The house church is growing rapidly. We started with 5 members of one family, and then the second house meeting resulted in 20 more people receiving Jesus! With the third meeting, there were 30 people in attendance, and two more people received Jesus. There is such a hunger for the Word of God in Cusco that every time we meet in Ruth’s home, people eagerly gather there to learn from us and we are able to give Bibles to each family present, which they receive like a treasure in their hands (What an 
understanding!).
In Cardonpata, we plan to start construction for the chapel at the end of January. Property was donated to us in December, but we have had to wait to begin construction because the donated property had potatoes planted on it, which could not be harvested until the end of December. Even so, things still progressed during this period of “delay” because necessary legal paperwork was being completed to finalize the donation. We are very grateful to the Lord for all that is happening…and for your eagerness to be a continuing part of the work ahead in 2018. There is much to do! Are you ready? Together we are going to build a new church in this new year, and many, many people are waiting for it.
Please pray for us. We need strength and much wisdom from God. We also need finances. We are moving full-steam ahead with construction in Cardonpata, outreach to the communities in the Cusco area, and continuing support for the orphanage in Lima. Let’s believe (and work) together for 2018 to be an amazing year of bringing God’s Kingdom to Peru.
We love you all and hope you had a blessed New Year’s celebration. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joyfully Reaching Ahead,
Tony and Rosa Rivera
Home of Refuge International, Inc.
