Playing the "Courageous" Film in the Plaza of Jesus

Located in the center of the town of Jesus, is the small "plaza de armas."It is surrounded by local Peruvian homes, small convenient stores called "tiendas," and other local businesses. Our missionary friends, the Oplands and the Burns, went to the head of the town to ask if they could play the Courageous film in the center of the plaza. Thank you Lord for opening this door of ministry. Thank you Eric and Jennifer Opland for all the work you have done to prepare for this special evening and for being obedient and faithful to God. Thank you for letting us partner with you and serve along side to share the amazing love of our Heavenly Father! 

Please pray for the many in this town who do not know Christ. Many fatherless homes and young children having no Christian guidance or discipline. Young children and wives desperately seeking love from men, yet being let down so many times and left alone feeling unloved as their hearts and minds get overtaken by many insecurities. Young girls and boys engaging in sexual activity at an early age, as their mothers tirelessly try to raise all the children, cook, clean, and support the family. Fathers too busy working or hanging out with their buddies, fathers too busy drinking, fathers who are okay with letting their young daughters leave with older boys to wander the streets with no parental protection and as teenage pregnancies continue to rise. Surrounding the plaza, bars are full of men sitting, laughing, and ordering one more drink. Lord, we need your hand and protection on all the women and children. Lord, please change the hearts of these men...help them to courageously stand up and take responsibility of their homes and their God given roles and responsibility as leaders of their homes. Lord, help us all to focus on you and put our full trust and faith in you, no longer being pulled down further and further by sin, clinging to the emptiness that this world offers. There is hope in no other, there is happiness in no other, Lord open our eyes!

 ^"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

~Philippinas 3:7-14

Courageous Film- Final Scene

Setting up in the Plaza

Helping to pass out the Book of Romans and John to many locals who attended!

Serving hot coffee as they watched the film!

Many children, men, and women sat together to watch the film!

Reading God's Word!

Pastor Hugo excited about sharing God's Love after the film!

Many thanks to our missionary friends for asking us to be apart of this special event!

All the kids lined up enjoying the film!

Pastor Hugo sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ!

BLESSINGS FROM HEAVEN

After the film, one man prayed and accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior. Pastor Hugo prayed with him and told him about God's love and grace as He sent His only Son to die on the Cross for all of us. Please pray that God will continue to direct this man, pray that he will continue to grow in his faith and help him to courageously follow our Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord for the many blessings of this evening. We pray that you will continue to draw many others closer to You as they read your Word. Please pray that Pastor Hugo's church will continue to grow in the town of Jesus, and that many will turn from their sins and put their trust in the one and only Savior, JESUS CHRIST.

 ^"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." ~Luke 15:7

Church Plant In Town of JESUS

As we visited a small church in the town of Jesus, we were reminded again of the beauty of believers coming together to worship our Lord and Savior. No complaints were spoken as the temperature in the room began to drop. Many quietly wrapped up in heavy coats and blankets, as they waited to hear God's Word being preached by our dear brothers in Christ. The worship room was the size of a small storage unit similar to what we would find in the States along side busy highways or tucked away on the outskirts of small towns. Church members were so proud of the freshly painted blue and white room, with cream colored plastic chairs lined up in the center for seating. Just days before, this small church met in the tiny home belonging to some of the locals in the area. Week by week, the space in the house church grew smaller and smaller as many tried to squeeze in, with not enough room for chairs or places to sit. Precious prayers being lifted up to our Heavenly Father and many singing hymns of praise. Each person clinging to their only Bible, eagerly searching for the next passage as the preacher shared God's Word. 


Thank You Lord, for bringing us to this place. Thank You Lord, for the blessings you bring us each day as we meet new believers and followers of Christ. Thank You for reminding us again all the many things we have so easily taken for granted. In a city with so few believers, we pray Lord, that you will use our lives daily to reach many for Your Kingdom. You sacrificed it ALL on that Cross...Thank You for Your Love and Grace! In Your Holy Name, we do pray. Amen.


"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives."

~Colossians 3:14-16a

"Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

~Colossians 3:16b-17

Visiting Llacanora: Historic Area in Cajamarca

HISTORY OF LLACANORA

Llacanora is located 13 kilometers southeast of Cajamarca, on the banks of the river running through the Llacanora Mountain Range (8583 feet above sea level). This district was established on January 2, 1857, in the second government of Ramón Castilla. Llacanora comes from the Quechua word "llacas" which means "to pluck corn" or "land of color," or the word "LLACACAY" which means "narrow or elongated" as indeed is the river to break through the hills and Iliarco Callacpoma. Llacanora is recognized as the "Switzerland of Cajamarca" and the "ETERNAL GREEN VALLEY" for being a totally green district.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

~Genesis 1:1-2

LLACANORA FALLS: The two falls are recognized as female and male. The male waterfall is about 30 meters high. The female is approximately 15 to 20 meters high.

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship." ~Psalm 19:1

Plaza in Llacanora

Tourist Information on Llacanora: http://www.micajamarca.com/Default.aspx?tabid=110

Assembling Ourselves Together

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” ~Hebrews 10:24-25

Please lift up in prayer as we fellowship with others on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Late in the afternoon, several students meet to at our home to learn and study English. Pray for strength, guidance, and wisdom as Sean prepares the lesson and encourages weekly homework of learning scripture. As each class comes to a close and after many laughs of our version of “Spanglish”, we all continue to encourage each other to keep studying and challenging each other to memorize scripture and study God’s Word in both English and Spanish. 

After class, friends from Villa Milagro have recently started a Bible Study. Each week, we gather in our living room to sing, share our struggles and blessings, and learn more about the love and grace of our Heavenly Father as we study His Word. Language is still a barrier, but we have found common ground as we listen to sermons by Charles Stanley and other great pastors, which have been translated into Spanish. God has been faithful and so good as we all come together coming from many different paths in life and share our passions for growing in CHRIST. Please pray that we will continue to understand and always seek God’s guidance and direction for each one of our lives. Pray that we will love, encourage, and help hold each other accountability as we grow in our faith. Our prayer is that many in Cajamarca will come to know our Heavenly Father as their personal Lord and Savior. 

God, we ask that if anyone does not know You and does not have the hope and assurance of their salvation given through Your Son, JESUS CHRIST...that you will use our lives to draw them closer to You. Thank you Lord for providing us a home to serve and worship You. Thank you for the individuals that You have placed in our path during the first three months that we have been here. Please continue to teach us through Your Word, prayer, and circumstances on how to take up our CROSS daily. We pray that You will continue to reveal Yourself, Your purposes, and Your ways as we learn to fully depend on You and seek a deeper love relationship with You! Thank you again for first loving us!

In Your Holy Name, Amen.

English 101: Helping Each Other Learn a New Language!

Teaching with no English degrees or majors...we try our best to teach others a new language...even if it means getting out of our comfort zone...

Our kids helping us do the "Hokey-Pokey" to learn the body parts in English.

Please pray weekly for the Bible Study!

Fun activities to learn about God's love and how we can all apply it in our own lives!

Teaming Up with Lots of Laughs!

March 2012 Newsletter

The Ladder

I read these words below in the "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God" by Henry and Richard Blackaby, and in the "Not a Fan" book, by Kyle Idelman. I cannot take credit for any of these thoughts or questions written below. Many were taken directly from the words of these authors. I could not help, but wonder and reflect on my own life as I read God's Word and also think about so many special people around me that I love so dearly, and yet, for so many, I do not know which path they are on. Many, who over the years, maybe I was too afraid to ask, too busy and caught up in life, or dreaded the confrontation it may cause when seeking to find out if they really KNOW CHRIST. 

The Ladder

Picture in your mind a tall ladder leaning against a wall. Now think about your life as a process of climbing that ladder. Wouldn't it be a tragedy to ascend to the top and find that you had placed the ladder against the wrong wall? One life to live, and you MISSED it!

I often think a lot about this verse: 

"But the gateway to life is narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few will find it." -Matthew 7:14

The author of the book, Not a Fan, went on to say that it is not his objective to cause true believers to doubt or question their standing with God. 

Bottom line is this...there will be a day when we stand before God, and on that day many who thought themselves followers will be identified as nothing more than fans. 

Though I believe in the assurance of salvation, I also believe that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." -Philippians 2:12

It is possible that for so many that they think they are on the narrow road but they are actually on the broad road?

I had to look at my own life...my family, my kids. Am I living the example of faith and obedience, and really following and loving God will all my heart, soul, and mind. Or am I going day by day on cruise control, my Christian radio on, attending church on Sunday mornings...traveling down the wrong road...or climbing up the wrong ladder....heading down the road to destruction.

"Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" -Matthew 7:21-23

I never knew you...these were people that on the OUTSIDE appeared to know Christ. But God knew their deeds and their hearts. (Narrow road...this road is difficult.)

It would not surprise me if Jesus said a few will stand before God on Judgement Day convinced that everything is fine only to find out otherwise.

We were all created for a God-centered love relationship. Your walk with God (Father, Son, and Spirit) is the single most important aspect of your life. If it is not as it should be, nothing else will function properly.

God did not create you for time; He created you for eternity. Time--your lifetime on earth--provides the opportunity for you to become acquainted with Him. It provides occasions for Him to develop your character into His likeness. Then eternity will hold its fullest dimensions for you.

Take a moment to share this with a friend or stop for a moment and reflect on your own life. Who or what is your life? Is Jesus the Lord of your life? He sent His only Son to provide eternal life for us. He laid down His life for us (John 3:16). God wants you to love Him with all your being. A love relationship with God is more important than any other single factor in your life.

Ask God to examine your heart right now...which ladder or road are you on?

Sources: 

Holy Bible (New King James Version and New Living Translation)

Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, Henry & Richard Blackaby (page 54-55) Published by Lifeway Press, 2007

Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman (page 101-103) Published by Zondervan, 2011

PRAY FOR SAFETY DURING PROTEST

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

Peru Government To Receive Minas Conga Report; Protests Start

Published April 11, 2012

Dow Jones Newswires

Source: Copyright@ http://lamula.pe/2012/04/11/paro-y-movilizacion-en-cajamarca-reporte-grafico-11-de-abril/AlanEle

Source: Copyright@ http://lamula.pe/2012/04/11/paro-y-movilizacion-en-cajamarca-reporte-grafico-11-de-abril/AlanEle

LIMA –  Three international experts will on Friday turn over to the government a report on water use that will be key in deciding whether the $4.8 billion Minas Conga copper gold project in Peru proceeds, Prime Minister Oscar Valdes said late Tuesday.

Valdes also said that the government won't accept any violence during protests taking place in Cajamarca, the region where the mine project is located.

"We are respectful of the protests. What we won't allow in any way are acts of violence that affect the free movement of other Peruvians who aren't taking part in the protests," Valdes said.

Anti-mining groups on Wednesday started a 24-hour protest against the Minas Conga project.

Television programs showed large groups marching in Cajamarca and chanting anti-mining slogans.

The project is being developed by Minera Yanacocha, run by Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM)

Violent protests last year led the government and Newmont Mining to delay the project. Protesters say water supplies will be damaged, although Yanacocha denies this.

"We urge the demonstrators to march peacefully and avoid engaging in violence or intimidation against residents and shopkeepers not participating in their general strike. Instead, we encourage the protest leaders to embrace dialogue to resolve any issues or concerns," Newmont said in a statement Wednesday.

"We agree that water must be the priority, which is why production of copper and gold would not start at Conga until the reservoirs providing a year-round supply of water to downstream communities are built," it added.

The government has sent troops and police to help keep order in the region.

An environmental impact study for the project was approved in 2010.

Source: Copyright@ http://lamula.pe/2012/04/11/paro-y-movilizacion-en-cajamarca-reporte-grafico-11-de-abril/AlanEle

Source: Copyright@ http://lamula.pe/2012/04/11/paro-y-movilizacion-en-cajamarca-reporte-grafico-11-de-abril/AlanEle

Political analysts say ending the Minas Conga project would hurt the investment climate in Peru, which is one of the world's largest producers of copper, gold, zinc, silver, tin and other minerals.

Yanacocha hopes to have production up and running at Minas Conga by the end of 2014 or early 2015. Production is seen at an average annual output during the first five years of 580,000 to 680,000 ounces of gold and 155 million to 235 million pounds of copper.

Newmont has a 51.35% interest in Yanacocha, while Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA (BVN, BUENAVC1.VL) has a 43.65% stake in Yanacocha, while the International Finance Corp. has a minority stake.

Copyright © 2012 Dow Jones Newswires

Packages & Letters From Home

We are so THANKFUL for the first mail that we have received while being here in Peru. We are so sorry for originally posting the wrong address...but it looks like some of the mail and packages made it to us finally! When the staff at Villa Milagro called and told us that some packages arrived...the whole family got so EXCITED!

Thank you again to all for the many prayers, love, and support you have given our family! Thank you for the encouraging words, emails, and letters!

May God Bless You All!

The Heath's 

Our New Address 

(this is the correct one that is also posted under the Contact Us tab at the top of our blog)

Asociacion Civil Villa Milagro

Atencion: Sr. Sean Heath

Apartado 219

Cajamarca, Peru

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

-Ephesians 5:20

Autumn is so excited...this one was addressed just for her!

So excited to open the package!

Thank You Hannah Menscer for your letter and stickers! Autumn misses seeing you and jumping on the trampoline!

Birthday Wishes from MOM!

Package of goodies from Eva Austin!

Lots of chocolate...we laughed and ate it all within seconds!

Thank you Chan & Kate Austin for the games, markers, and all the surprises!

Autumn painting with her new book...and loving her new baby doll!

The Resurrection

EASTER IN PERU

This year Easter took on a whole new meaning for us. For so many years, we have spent the few weeks before Easter preparing for the Easter Bunny and getting our special Easter dresses and attire for Sunday morning. When we asked if the Easter bunny visits Peru...we received looks of "craziness" as we tried to explain the American Easter traditions and holiday. After four days of celebrating with other brothers and sisters and Christ for their Domingo Santa- Pascua (Easter), we realized how blessed we were to be here miles and miles from home with no Hallmark cards, no Easter bunny visits, or our usual focus on finding that special dress for church.

For four days, we had an opportunity to visit different church services and witness believers solely focused on JESUS CHRIST and how he paid the penalty for all by dying on the cross. Tears streamed down many faces as they worshipped and gave thanks to their RISEN KING. The Jesus Film was played and many who have never stepped foot into a church, attended the special services with their families. For many, no sparkling white dresses or new black shoes...just fasting and prayer wearing clothes covered in dirt, and giving thanks for the HOPE that we all have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord for this blessing and for being able to experience you and the resurrection in a whole new light. Thank you Lord for all the suffering you took as you were nailed on that CROSS and the hope you have given us all as you rose again three days later after being crucified. Thank you for giving us all an opportunity to have an everlasting life in glory (Heaven) with YOU! "I am the resurrection, and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." (John 11:25)

THE RESURRECTION

”Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”

-Matthew 28:1-6

Sharing our testimony with the help of a translator at Monte Sion Church!

The JESUS FILM was played for many prior to the beginning of the worship service!

Preparing on Good Friday for a special Youth Fellowship Night...making all the youth cookies with milk (leche)!

Janneth helping our kids add the topping to her homemade goodies!

Playing with the parachute (given to us by Dr. Walker's family) and spending time with the younger children!

Making each youth a bracelet symbolizing the blood that CHRIST shed for us all!
Black: stands for the sin in our lives
Red: represents the blood of CHRIST
White: cleansing...our sins have become white as snow through CHRIST
Green: symbolizes new life, eternal life, and growing in CHRIST
Yellow: reminds us of the light JESUS brought into the world
...and Heaven's bright city which is waiting for God's children at the end of their days!

Lots of smiles as they each made their own one to wear on their wrist.

Eating lots and lots of cookies and milk...kept begging for more!

Visiting Celso's church in the mountains...as we gathered in this small room the temperature continued to drop as many covered with blankets due to the cold!

Singing songs of praise...tears of JOY!

Watching the JESUS FILM and remembering how CHRIST paid it ALL!

River playing special music during the service as we were able to share our testimony!

Thanks to Aunt Casie for sending down an Easter egg dying kit...the kids enjoyed some traditions from home!

Visiting the small Bible Study in San Francisco on Saturday...spending time with many, many children!

Beautiful Children!

Setting up the room for the children to watch Soul Surfer film, to witness Bethany Hamilton's Christian faith, as she recovered her surfing career after a terrible shark attack that took her arm off.

The joy of seeing children intensely watching a film through the projector provided by friends of Janneth!

Janneth sharing God's Word and message of SALVATION!

Soul Surfer received a thumbs up!

Peruvian version of the Easter Bunny...the kids told us that they knew this was from us since they were told
NO BUNNIES in PERU! We found one store in Cajamarca that sells cereals like we had back in America with Hershey Chocolate Candies...the kids were fighting over which box to open first!

Early Sunday morning at 5:30am...walking to church for the SONRISE service!

Ivan singing a special song...Ivan is the young man helping Sean translate for the Soccer/Bible Ministry at Monte Sion School!

After the SONRISE service, the church members gathered around to share breakfast together...no fancy fellowship hall or special decorations!

Sean and Ivan enjoying the meal!

Easter Fellowship Breakfast with the church members..."Sopa de Gallina" served with a special spicy meat (hen), boiled egg, and noodles!

After the SONRISE service, we visited the church service at Iglesia Bautista Calvario in the Banos del Inca...there we met three new American Missionary families from the States all serving here in the Cajamarca, Peru area! What a blessing to have new friends in CHRIST! The other families have children for our kids to play with...and lots of little new girl friends for Autumn! Autumn was so excited about being able to speak English with her new friends!