March 14, 2009

Dear Prayer Warriors,

How goes the battle? Praise the Lord we are on the winning side! Our enemy is cunning, though, and doesn't always fight fairly. That must be why the Lord Jesus says we must abide in Him and stay connected to our Power Source at all times. Praise Him for He is sufficient for all our needs!

As an ABWE missionary, I am currently the only one in Iquitos. Rich and Dee Donaldson worked hard to make things as easy for me as possible. Thank you, Uncle Rich and Aunt Dee! Their oldest grandson, Ben, was married to Abby today, so they are enjoying good family times and hopefully a well-deserved rest. I am also thankful for the many brothers and sisters in Christ here in Iquitos who are serving the Lord with me. I am not alone!

Erica de los Rios has come to Iquitos to spend some time with her parents who live close to Betsan Baptist Church. She and I are taking turns teaching the children’s Sunday School class and have seen the class grow in the last couple of Sundays. Erica is an encouragement to me.

Doris Soria and David Silva have gone with me twice to Mazan in follow-up visits to the deaf there, after our retreat in January. Sosimo and other deaf young people have also come alongside to make our ministry there more interesting, well-rounded, and better understood by the deaf. Each time we meet, a new deaf friend has joined us. On February 21 it was Becker, a 15-year-old from Mazan. Today it was Arlis, a boy from Iquitos who joined us in traveling to Mazan. An early morning rain seemed to dampen enthusiasm for traveling to Mazan, but seven of us made the trip this morning at 7:30. Pastor Marcial and his family continue to minister to the deaf in Mazan. Little Melicita and her family are coming regularly to church there. Our next Saturday meeting is scheduled for April 4th.

The Source of Light Bible lessons are being used both in Iquitos and in the churches along the Amazon River. Pastor Juan Garcia has agreed to help with some of the grading, which is a big help, since he brings me lessons from three churches. During the vacation months, the deaf women gathered at my house one day a week. With 8 - 10 students, my time with each one averaged about 45 minutes, but it was good fellowship and gave me some extra free time the rest of the week to catch up on other ministries. Starting next week, I will be going to their homes for at least one-hour classes, plus opportunities to share with their hearing family members.

Orientation begins at the Bible institute this week, and classes begin on the 23rd. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the team of teachers there to train church leaders. My course this semester is Biblical Introduction and Geography, a course for first-year students. We will be meeting Mondays and Thursdays 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings the deaf guys gather at the institute to study Source of Light lessons. Wednesday night chapel and choir practice are scheduled.

My weekly schedule is filling up fast. Please pray for wisdom in counseling and teaching and that I will be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in me. Opportunities to share at the cancer department and with my neighbors do not always happen at scheduled times, but I want to be ready, to be "instant in season and out of season." Pray, too, for spiritual understanding and awakening, especially among the deaf and the children at Betsan Baptist Church.

Well, this epistle is long enough. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying. May the best rewards of our generous God be yours in that Day when He reveals our works. May He receive all the glory!

Serving with joy in Iquitos,
Lynn Porter

P.S. "Don't tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God is"
- Saying on the bulletin board at the institute