Tuesday, March 27, 2012

March update


Olivares Family                             March 2012

                                                    

The Land
            It is not news that our church has outgrown its current location. It is a wonderful problem to have, and yet, it is still a problem.
It joys us to share that we have (finally) been approved by the community to receive a piece of land for free. This land is right next to the park and soccer court in San Blas, on a main stairway that reaches up from the center of Cusco. It is right at the heart of the communities where we serve and will be a light on a hill for all to see. If all goes as planned- the legal work finalized and the money needed for building is raised- we plan to break ground in August. The community association here in Peru is donating the land, and they also have placed some expectations on us as a church. We only have 5 months before we are expected to start building, which means we have 5 months, April thru August, to raise the money to build.

Building costs
The estimate for the construction is a little more than $80,000 US Dollars. It seems like so much money to us, but we know that “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than all we ask or think according to His power works within us.” (Eph 3:20). We ask you to pray and consider how God would have you be involved in raising the money needed to build.

All donations toward the building project should be directed as follows: checks make out to IberoAmerican Ministries, with a note attached specifying it for the Cusco Building Project”. Mail it to IberoAmerican Minsitries, PO Box 1493, Monroe, WA 98272.

When you mail a donation, please follow up by sending us a quick email (rtolivares@gmail.com). That way we can keep track of our progress. Maybe your church or small group would like to adopt our project or you would like to be a point person to share our need with others, please write to us and we’ll give you further instructions on how to make it happen. We appreciate it!

In other news

     Our back to school project was a success! In March we helped provide a number of school supplies to more than 120 children.

      The children’s feeding program is beginning in April. This program is designed to provide a main meal at least once a week to children in need, those in poverty and those who live with a single mother and/or several brothers/sisters. We all know that good nutrition is a foundation for success in their studies and schoolwork. This program still needs to be adopted as it has monthly expenses that need to be met. If you or your small group would is interested, please send us an email!

Church anniversary
This Sunday, April 1st, we celebrate six years together as a church fellowship in Cusco, Peru. Everyone is waiting with anticipation for our celebration. It will be a day of joy for all of us as a church family to praise God for magnificent change that the Love of Christ has made in their lives.  









A new chapter in life
For everyone who doesn’t already know, April is our last month living in Cusco. Through much prayer we have made the decision that for the health of Tracie’s eyes we can no longer live in the high altitude. Her illness continues as long as we are here and we don’t know at this point if the damage done is irreversible. We praise God for protecting her eyesight in general but she continues to have worsening complications when she is at altitude. God has opened a door for us to continue ministry in Cusco, but from a distance. 

From our new home in Chile we will be able to travel to Peru as well as serve in new and existing ministries with IAM in the church there. Ricky will come to Cusco monthly to oversee the building project and other ministries, as well as encourage the church and her leadership. We also pray for long-term person(s) to come to Cusco to live, to support and develop ministry here.

We are looking forward to this new chapter, though any type of change can be difficult. God has a way of blessing through hardship, bringing joy through pain, and hope through despair. We have hope, joy and peace that come only through Him.

Your prayers are appreciated during this time of transition for our family. Please remember the building project, pray, get involved. We can’t wait to see how God will use the new building to expand His kingdom in Cusco!

We love you and thank God for you!

Ricky, Tracie, Isabella and Milan



For donations: please make checks out to IberoAmerican Ministries
Attach a note specifying it for the “Olivares Ministry” or “Cusco Building Project”. Mail it to IAM (IberoAmerican Minsitries), PO Box 1493, Monroe, WA 98272.
For making donations online, please email us at rtolivares@gmail.com