with the year well underway, we are pleased with the growth of our church fellowship so far. Just last Sunday 5 people prayed to accept Christ. Along with the 6 baptisms last month and all the new visitors, we are sure that God is not done with us yet. Sometimes the most unlikely people are the ones that the Lord wants to reach.

I remember a pastor once said about Cusco, "we don't want to church plant there; it's too touristy, there is no need"

It turns out that quite a few, nearly half, of our church is made up of street vendors. Women, mostly, who sell their handy-crafts in the Plaza de Armas to the tourists. They sell anything from jewelry to alpaca knit scarves to finger puppets. They are quite creative and talented artisans. Which brings me to think, what would have happened with all these lovely women if there was no one sharing the gospel here? Just because a place is touristy does not mean that there is not spiritual warfare going on. In fact, there is more spiritual need as a result of the tourism. All the interesting yet false beliefs that are brought in by tourists, as if the people weren't confused by their "catholic/incan" religion already. i love watching the Lord at work among all these beautiful people. Hermanos, brothers, in Christ who now have a life of hope and peace. What would have they had if Christ was not shared with them?

Wasn't it Paul the apostle, who visited the major city of Damascus, through which all the commerce of the known world flowed. If he had avoided such "touristy" places, who would have then brought the message about Jesus back to their home towns and villages?

... just sayin..

(oh and that pastor? he is no longer a pastor. go figure)