Buenas Dias from Peru!

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible...all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things..." Colossians 1:15-20


News from the Church in Arequipa~
Hello from everyone in Arequipa!

It's been awhile since we have written a full newsletter, so we will try to catch you all up at one time- don't worry, we'll just give you the scoop in a nutshell!
We have been studying Genesis together- yes again!
It is so very rich- a book that speaks of our inheritance, birthed in the first People of God... dominion, redemption, obedience, faith, justice, sacrifice, the new creation- the Kingdom of God!
We are rejoicing as God reveals to us more and more and "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness & brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves..." Colossians 1:12

Over the last few months, there have been many in our group who are walking through some tough times- would you pray for these situations as you read below?

~One brother has just been told he will lose his job in July. He is a faithful servant of Christ and is believing with all his heart for God's provision (along with his wife and 2 small children). His sincere faith is an inspiration and encouragement to the whole Body here. Please pray for this family.
~Another sister (a single mom) has endured some painful medical problems recently and is still waiting on a diagnosis. Praying God's light will reveal the problem and right it.
~And Julber... the tumors have grown back on his elbow, knee, and hip. He is in pain most days, and now his walking is being affected. He will most likely be undergoing surgery here in Arequipa in July. We will send more information when we know... Please pray for him-

Sometimes we wish we could tell you about each beautiful member of the Body of Christ that we love and are a part of here. The struggles they face and the victories that are won (like our sister Coki, whose brother has come to Jesus through her testimony from another city- we are believing her whole family isn't far behind !). They would encourage each of you in their "understanding of God's grace in all it's truth". For they know and believe that "...in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10)

God is so good in His timing! This is an exciting sight for missionaries... an airplane bringing dear friends (the peanut butter and other goodies are secondary of course!)

This past month we have be so blessed to have some great friends and fellow laborers visit us here. They each have ministered to the Body in a unique way and so we all have been "encouraged in heart" and "united in love" . We are so very thankful for their desire to share in the work and lives of the people here.

From the Church in Chincha~
Last month, Mike, Lee, Dori and our new friends Rebekah had the opportunity to return to Chincha for a short visit.
Pastor Pepe was so happy to see them and share news about the Church in Chincha. He sends his deepest thanks to all who helped with relief and rebuilding after the earthquake. Rebuilding is going quite well- you can see some pictures we attached below in a previous post...They also wanted to share something special with Mike, Lee and Dori, and Rebekah-

As they were returning from the conference we held in Arequipa in February, they were inspired to write a new song~

It was a beautiful offering as they played the guitar and drums and sang us this joyful song!
Please continue to pray for the Family in Chincha... may they "stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured".

Soon from Argentina and Chile~
Mike, Lee and our good friend will be leaving this Sunday to travel to Santiago, Chile and Mendoza, Argentina. They plan to meet with several brothers who minister through Bible Training Centers located throughout Argentina and Brazil. We are looking forward to building these relationships and hearing about the work the Lord is doing in these places. Please pray for this trip- that their eyes might be opened to see beyond the natural, and that they might be led by the Spirit and be discerning in all things. Update to come...

And finally, news from the Styron Family~
Last, but not least... news from our family...
After much prayer, we believe the Lord is again asking for our obedience in following Him to a "new land".
This has been a very difficult decision to make, as we so love our family here in Arequipa. We love the work the Lord has given us here and appreciate just how blessed we have been to have lived in this country for the last 4 years.
We are confident that this move is pleasing to the LORD and so we will be leaving Peru at the end of October. We will be in North Carolina for some time, as we continue to pray and seek God's path for the next steps.
We are sure in the calling and ministry God has entrusted to us. This has not changed !! We will continue to minister, both in the US and internationally, as God provides. We plan to return regularly to Arequipa and other parts of South America while in the US, continuing relationships and ministry among the people God has given us.
PLEASE pray for our family~
*For financial provision as we start all over again- (think cars, beds, pots and pans... all the basics. Yikes! )
*For grace- lots and lots of it!
*For God to bring people along side of us during this time who will desire to be a part of the work we will continue while living in the US.

How good it is to share with you all and know the prayers that will be made on behalf of the Church in all parts!

Grace and Peace be with you all~
The Styrons

Muchas Gracias!

Pastor Pepe Gives Thanks from Chincha~

Mike, Lee & Dori recently returned from a trip to Lima & Chincha and brought with them this video of one of our friends from Chincha. We thought you all might like to "meet" this brother and hear how thankful he is to God and to all of you who helped him and his neighbors rebuild after the earthquake last August.

Below are also a few pictures of the church "building" where this family of believers meet together now. Many of them were able to come to Arequipa for the retreat we held here in February. They told us of how the Lord really used that time to teach them and they are seeking the Kingdom of God like never before. They even shared with Mike, Lee & Dori a beautiful song that they composed on the way home from the conference (inspired by a session on worship shared by the folks from "Enter the Worship Circle" ).

We'd like to also tell each one of you how much we appreciate the love you showed to our brothers & sisters in Peru and how abundant the fruit has been in that place.

Blessings to each one of you~ Mike & Chenoah














The "road" to Chincha...

The folks from Chincha singing a new song unto the LORD!
AMEN!

Llevame alla~

Site of the Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

Isn't it the most wonderful place?

The place of rest and peace we find as we take the time to enter into the presence of our Lord? Where time stops and where burdens, fatigue and fears melt away? Where we, as sons and daughters of the Most High, sit and feast with the Messiah?

“Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. "
-Psalm 23

Recently, we shared a very sweet night with the Church here in Arequipa, worshipping and praying and entering into His presence. We sang a song by Marco Barrientos called "No Voy a Volver Atras" that seemed in a small part at least, to capture this time ...

Llevame alla, donde se que habra paz-

Take me there- where I know there will be peace-

Donde tengo que callar, para escucharte hablar-

Where I have to be quiet to hear You speak-

Donde todo es realidad y el tiempo no existe mas...

Where everything is reality and time doesn't exist anymore...

A psalm of King David~

"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence." -Psalm 21

Shalom~

Thank You!

Thanks to all who have prayed, given, and come together to be a part of this gathering~

The Lord's presence was sweet during the whole week and we all were united in Him as we studied, prayed, and worshipped together, and simply enjoyed being in the company of our brothers and sisters.

**If you'd like to 'hear' a bit of the awesome music we enjoyed during the conference you can check out our new friends from 'Enter the Worship Circle' at: http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com/ , http://www.theblackthornproject.com/ , http://www.restorationvillage.com/ and http://www.aaronstrumple.com/ ,

or just go ahead and buy it on itunes!!

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all . "

Cosas Nuevas, Cosas Viejas Leadership Retreat

"He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." ~Matthew 13:52

Hello Everyone~

Just a quick reminder that the "Cosas Nuevas, Cosas Viejas Leadership Retreat " will begin on Wednesday, February 13th.

We will be gathering with brothers and sisters from Peru, Chile, and Brazil for a wonderful time of teaching, preaching, worshipping, and taking time together as the family of God to celebrate our lives in Him. We are excited about what the Lord has begun here already and are looking forward to feasting in His presence during these next days!

We covet your prayers for the many aspects of this week...

We are praying for safe and problem-free :) travel for the many folks who are coming up the mountains, by bus and plane, to Arequipa-

We are praying for those who will be teaching, to have clarity, power and faith as they present those things which God has wrought in their hearts (old things & new);

and as we meet together, that "the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the authorities and rulers of the heavenly realms through His Church" !

We are praying for those who will be leading us in worshipping the Lord together, that the Spirit of Lord would move over the people, breaking all barriers of culture (since it is one culture truly, that of the Kingdom of God, uniting us) and language, and that all those seeking to worship Christ in Spirit and truth would be united by Christ alone & filled with joy.

There are so many things to pray about, but better yet, pray as the Lord reveals the needs to you!

We thank you for your prayers & for partnering with us.

I will be posting pictures & updates on the retreat as I can!

"My Father is always at His work to this very day..." John 5:17

Upright in Heart~ Psalm 32

"Rejoice in the LORD, and be glad, you righteous. Sing all you who are upright in heart."

Just a thought today after reading Psalm 32~

(The Psalm is included at the bottom of this comment)

We can be "upright" in so many areas of our lives...

"upright" in our families

"upright" in our communities

"upright" where we work

"upright" among friends

"upright" in our churches

"upright" in our religiosity

and still not be upright in heart~

The hidden places we keep for ourselves...

Why do we choose ,as though we have no understanding, to be as the horse or the mule, needing the bit and bridle, to come to the LORD with our weaknesses and short comings?

And this, in light of His promise when we come to Him with our sin & strivings~

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you."

May we come to the LORD and trust in Him~

Trust enough to acknowledge our sin and lay bare our iniquities before Him.

In doing this, we are blessed ... not cursed -

Our hearts will cry out with praise and joy ...naturally.

What freedom we have in our grip that we so casually ignore!

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered..."

"Sing, all you who are upright in heart..."

Not only has He covered our sins and forgiven our transgressions... He has

"forgiven the guilt of my sin"!!

"...The LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him..."

Rejoice in the LORD today!

How easy, when I think on these things, to sing Him a new song~

"for it is fitting for the upright in heart to praise Him".

Psalm 32~

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-

and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found;

surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Selah.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;

Sing all you who are upright in heart!

After the rain...

Volcan Misti,
After the rain...



This is the view from our front steps...
Aren't we lucky!

It's Raining...It's Pouring (well, sort of!)

It's raining here in Arequipa.

That doesn't happen much-

That wet stuff doesn't smell quite right-

Rain, rain go away!

A Thought on Discipleship

"...His yoke is easy, and His burden is light... To go one's way under the sign of the cross is not misery and desperation, but peace and refreshment for the soul, it is the highest joy. Then we do not walk under our self-made laws and burdens, but under the yoke of Him who knows us and who walks under the yoke with us. Under His yoke we are certain of His nearness and communion. It is He whom the disciple finds as he lifts up his cross."

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Artwork by Carol Barber

"The friend who attends the bridegroom waits & listens for Him,

and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice..."

~John 3:29

Year In Pictures....

A Beautiful Arequipa Sunset !!

Living the abundant life together~

Lake Titicaca- Puno, Peru

"Manos Unidos" work day~

We were the "padrinos" for this kindergarten graduation...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS...HAPPY HOLIDAYS...HAPPY HOLIDAYS...

What do you do when the turkey comes with ALL of it's parts? Take a picture of course!

Gotta love the clean-up crew !!

Alex & Dori are EXCITED about baking Christmas cookies!

Julber (and Tico) after Julber's graduation from his first year of school in the city!! Yeah Julber!!!

HAPPY New Year! And...our happy new casita!

Happy New Year!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. "
~Jeremiah 17:7-8


2007
For those of you we most recently have come to know, we count you among the great blessings that the LORD has given us this past year. It has been a very full year. We thank you all for your loving support of our work here and thought you might like to think on the fruit borne this year in the LORD.

~We have had the great joy of baptizing new believers into the Family and living as the Body of Christ together. This is abundant life!
~We were joined by brothers & sisters from many parts of the world this year, to bring encouragement, teaching, and unity in Christ, to the Church here in Peru and in Chile. We spent nearly a month traveling all over Peru and into northern Chile...What an adventure!
~We laboured with local churches in Arequipa- preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus Christ.
~We were blessed to be a part of the life of a young man who came to intern with us for 6 months. He has gone back to the States now, but God is being glorified in his life and by his testimony that he has left here!
~The Lord allowed that we might be a part of bringing relief and hope to the people of Peru after the devastating earthquake in August. This work was heart-wrenching and rewarding at the same time... we felt blessed to be able to be here during that time (and continue to work toward rebuilding- on a smaller scale).
~Julber has overcome a huge challenge and completed his first year of school here in Arequipa. He is still suffering a lot from his illness & we all continue to pray for his healing. You can read more about Julber & how you might pray for him at: www.luke109.blogspot.com
~We were able to work on some local projects in our community- such as helping a local school for handicapped children (next door to Lee's old house) with a clean-up of the school, fresh paint, yard work, and a new fence. These were some great kids and very dedicated teachers! Everyone pitched in & we had a great time!
~We were honored to be a part of the marriage of Lee & Dori. This was a beautiful example of God's great love & faithfulness.
~We spent our first Christmas here in Peru- though we missed our friends and families, it was a great experience. We drank hot chocolate and ate Panatone (even though it was summer here)... and we shared our traditions with our friends here. We baked Christmas cookies together (something totally new for them- thanks for the cookie decorating goodies Val!), tried cranberry sauce (not a Peruvian favorite :), taught everyone how to cut out paper snowflakes, made gingerbread houses, sung "Let It Snow" and "Deck the Halls"- (doesn't translate so well!), and decorated our tree!
~And for those of you who don't know, we began the NEW year with a NEW home. Yes! The Styron's have once again moved during Christmas! We were able to find (definately a gift from God!) the cutest little house ever (with the cutest little rent ever)! We believe that there will be a lot of traveling this year, and this change will undoubtedly allow us the freedom to travel together more.

And so, we stretch out our "roots" toward the Stream, the Living Water, as we trust the LORD for the next year....

2008
And so begins a NEW Year!
We are very excited to be able to see already some of the work that has been set before us this year...

~We continue to pastor among God's people here in Arequipa from day to day... we are all studying and learning and growing together in grace & knowledge. The Lord has added to His Church & we are rejoicing to see the lasting fruit being borne within the Body.
~We are excited to have the opportunity to spend a focused time of discipleship with a young lady, a friend of Lee & Dori's, from North Carolina. She will be coming to spend 3 months with our group this spring.
~We are planning to travel again during the month of June... hopefully, as doors open, through southern Peru, northern Chile, and Argentina, "Proclaiming the year of the LORD's favor and the day of the vengence of our God" ~Isaiah 61:2.
~We also have an opportunity to travel to Israel... we are REALLY praying seriously about this & would appreciate your prayers as well.

AND...

"2008- New Wine, New Wineskin Retreat"
This is a very exciting time for all of us. The last retreat we held in October 2006 was an amazing time. The Lord provoked, equipped, and edified His Church during this time and we believe that He has set this time apart again to minister to the Church here in South America. We are expecting around 100 people from Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and the USA. Among this gathering will be 15-20 brothers and sisters from Chincha, Peru (this is the town where we ministered to many people after the earthquake).
The retreat will be held February 13-16. We appreciate your prayers and any contributions you would like to make toward this work.

Wishing you & your family a fruitful New Year!
We covet your prayers and appreciate your friendship. As always, we would love to hear from you anytime!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. " ~Jeremiah 17:7-8