Feb. 24, 2007

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Greetings from Iquitos! We have had three weeks of hot dry weather and hope the predictions of rain will come true. Spiritually, we pray for showers of God’s blessings. Revive us again, oh, Lord!

Our “summer” vacation is about to end with the beginning of the 2007 school year. A big change for me is that I will not be involved in teaching at the deaf school or at Efata Baptist Church. Pastor Abraham and Patsy again asked me to leave the ministry to them. He feels he can be a better pastor for the deaf if I am not around. It is true that we have different philosophies of ministry. This time I agreed, though it hurts to leave a ministry that has been a major part of my life for the past 22 years. Pray that this change will indeed be a blessing for the church, and that it will grow numerically as well as spiritually. Because the deaf really want to study the Source of Light Bible lessons, I am continuing to teach those classes. This year I am going to their homes on a weekly schedule, which gives me more time for each student and puts me in contact with their families. So far there are ten who are studying with me.

Other prayer requests for the deaf include prayer for their standing firm for the truth. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are starting meetings for the deaf in March and have already been visiting their homes and making their acquaintance. Also, Pastor Abraham and Patsy are expecting a little one around August, and she has been quite sick with morning sickness. A couple of years ago they lost twins, so would really appreciate prayer that she would be able to carry this baby to term and have a healthy child.

Other opportunities are opening for me. I have agreed to teach a class at the Bible institute. It is a first year course on Introduction to the Bible and Biblical Geography. Please pray that I will prepare well and be ready to teach on March 12. My class hours are on Mondays 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Other churches have expressed interest in helping them in the area of discipleship, especially with the Source of Light courses. I would love to get involved in a new church plant. Please pray for the Lord’s leading to be made clear to me. We are also going ahead with planning the mission outreach trip to the deaf out along the river. For several reasons, it seems it would be best to postpone it until next January 2008. Brother Lee Johnson is preparing a team from his church in Chiclayo for the ministry trip. I would love for some of the deaf of Iquitos to prepare for ministry, too. Please pray for all these details to work out according to God’s will.

My housemate, Darlene Hull, went home to Michigan to spend time with her family over the vacation. She just returned home last night. We have field council meetings coming up on Monday. David and Evelyn Stone are here representing the Coastal field council for our Peruvian entity. We praise the Lord for major progress in the paperwotk process and should soon have power of attorney in hand for all the ABWE missionaries in Peru.

The Stones are staying at our house this weekend. I have enjoyed having guests at my little house the past couple of months. Andy and Diane Large were here in January, and Lee and Eva Johnson were here earlier this month. With the heat we’ve been having, they all said they appreciated the air conditioning in the bedroom. They each encouraged me in different ways, and I thank God for my friends.

May the Lord bless and guide each of you as you seek His face. “Come” is an oft-repeated word of invitation from our God. Let us go and draw close to Him who has opened the way by His precious blood.

Your sister in Christ,
Lynn Porter