Dear Family and Friends
Here is a quick update of a few things that have been going on in Word Made Flesh Peru. First I want to say that it was great to see many of you at Christmas, it was so fun to surprise everyone. I had a great time of rest and relaxation with my family. While I was home many of you ask me about Sarah and how she is doing. Everything is going well, tomorrow she starts her last round of chemo, so by the time you receive this letter, she will be done with her treatment and entering a time of rest so that her body can heal. Sebastian is still in Lima, but the visa process is coming along, please pray that he would receive his visa soon, as they have set the date of their wedding June 27!!!!!! This has been a very difficult time for Sarah, Sebastian, and her family, but I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Please continue to lift them up.
Here in Lima we are going through some transition as always. Sarah is back home and Sebastian will be leaving soon. We have another staff that is processing and thinking about the possibility of leaving. I am also in the process of deciding if I want to stay or go. I have two more months to decide. We also have a family moving down this week, the Ingrams. They are an amazing family with four kids. Also Amy Lahey is approved to come down on staff, she does not have a date of arrival yet, but we are excited for her to get here. So as you can see we are going through some changes. Please pray for us as we say goodbye to great friends and welcoming new one. This is always a difficult transition for staff, both those who leave and those who stay here.
The ministry center is almost complete. We are putting in the last of the doors. Last week we spent a lot of time organizing downstairs so that we can start having bible studies here. It looks so great. In December we had our first major event her, a Christmas Celebration. We had about 30 children, 15 youth, and a bunch of volunteers, around 70 people total for the party, it was so fun.
The last couple of weeks we have been planning out the year and it looks like we are going to have lots of great programs and events this year. We have also been working on tutoria, which is the program that pays for kids to go to school. This year we will be helping to pay the tuition of around 30 kids. This very exciting and I hope that next year we can do even more.
Also in April, Jose Luis and I have the opportunity to travel to Rio de Janiero, Brasil to visit the WMF field. We are both very excited. Jose is trying to raise some fund to make the trip, if you would like to help make it possible you can send money in to WMF and put his name and peru ministry fund on a separate piece of paper. The Brasil field also works with youth in street context. I think this will be a great learning experience for both of us.
Please continue to pray for me as I make my decision about my contract. I have felt more at peace here in Lima, so I am not so closed minded about staying right now. Not sure what I will do, but I want to say thanks for all of your support and prayer and helping make my life here possible.
Love,
David Smith
Parque San Martin 374 F
Pueblo Libre Lima, Peru
david.smith@wordmadeflesh.com