Newsletter, January 2002 Happy New Year! I would like to wish you a very happy new year, and that you would really know God’s blessing and leading in 2002. I’ve had a very blessed Christmas time and New Year with my family. It was excellent to celebrate Jesus’ birth, and to be with my family at this time. I really learned something afresh about God’s amazing grace and love, that Jesus left the security of heaven and the Father’s presence, in order to become a person and to personally communicate God’s love to us, to bring His truth, and to bring Salvation. Support Raising Since leaving Moorlands College in June, I’ve been involved mainly in the task of raising support for returning to Moyobamba. This has involved writing to different Churches, organisations and companies to make contacts, and to offer to present talks on the work. In October I took part in the Horsham Parish’s Charities Fayre, where I hosted a table displaying photographs and leaflets on the work in Moyobamba. I’ve also been producing publicity materials including support brochures and a web site to promote interest and awareness about the work of the Water and Sanitation programme and the Luke Society. In November a local Horsham Newspaper The West Sussex County Times published an article on my forthcoming work, including an embarrassing photo of me next to a toy llama! My financial support level currently stands at 41% of the total that I will need to live in Peru for the three years that I will be working there under Latin Link. I need to secure 100% before I travel to Peru. Support is mainly secured through sponsorship from individuals and Churches on a monthly basis. Therefore, I am well underway to raising the support, but still have a way to go. I will be continuing the task of raising support at least until the end of February. In February I will be presenting a talk at a Church in London, and speaking at two or three Churches in Horsham. Other Activities I’ve been involved in a number of activities at Trafalgar Road Baptist Church. I am compiling a portfolio of vocational competences which I will hand in for my Moorlands diploma in June. The activities have involved leading a Youth Alpha talk, a bible study and helping at a fortnightly luncheon club. I’ve been very blessed in the fellowship at Trafalgar Road and the friendships I’ve been able to make. In December I also preached for the first time at Rev. Bill McIlroy’s Church in Woodmansterne, which went okay, and the Church was very warm and welcoming! The Luke Society’s work Every year The Luke Society in Moyobamba undertakes a medical campaign to enable children with conditions of harelip and cleft palate to receive operations. Last autumn about 20 children were operated on. Please pray for the follow-up work with the children, that they will be able to receive further operations if necessary, and to have speech therapy in Moyobamba. Three pit-toilet construction projects were undertaken by the Water and Sanitation programme last year. Concrete platforms were made for pit-toilets in three villages. The Luke Society (Moyobamba) is currently in the process of finding a new director to head up the organisation. Almanzor Fernandez finished as director in November, and since then a temporary director has been standing in. As the team are now on vacation for the whole of January, the new director should start in February. Please pray for Apollos and the governors, that God would lead them to the right person. Family News On Christmas Eve I went to a midnight service with my dad at St. Mark’s in Horsham, and then on Christmas morning went to Trafalgar Road Baptist with my brothers. We spent Christmas day at my Auntie Libby’s house in Horsham. God really blessed me with sharing with family over the Christmas period. The first weekend after the New Year I went with my sister Nicky and her daughter Jessie to Yorkshire. We visited my auntie Christine and her family in Thorpe Willoughby, and on the Saturday we visited my grandparents in York. It was really good to see them. Returning to Peru I’m hoping to return to Peru in the early spring in March or April, and am trusting God’s guiding and timing. I’m currently having my vaccinations for travelling. Once I arrive in Peru, I will stay in the capital Lima for about three months for orientation and language study. The time in Lima will also be an opportunity to visit different Churches and to visit the work of other Latin Link missionaries. I’ll then be travelling to Moyobamba to work with The Luke Society on the Water and Sanitation programme. The Water and Sanitation work Three villages near to Moyobamba have applied for, and are currently waiting for, materials to build water supply systems in their villages (Nuevo Milagro, Nuevo Amanecer and Alan Garcia). Three other villages are waiting for assistance to make improvements / enlarge water supply systems in their villages (Las Palmeras, Guillermo and La Victoria). The size and cost of these projects vary. When I return I am likely to be involved in coordinating with villagers and finding finance for these projects. I am planning to also be involved in outreach and scripture distribution work in the villages, with other members of the Luke Society team. Please pass on my support forms to your friends and colleagues who may be interested in supporting me in the work. Please ask me for more support forms if needed. Thank you very much for your invaluable help and support. Martin Bone |