March/April 2010 Prayer Letter

Dear Pastors and Praying Friends,

MINISTRY UPDATES:
We appreciate your prayers for us as we have been seeking the Lord’s direction for our future. As planned, we have been working with veteran missionary Chris Gardner for the past 2 years. Now the Lord has given us the opportunity to work in the Vision Baptist Church in the area of Miraflores, Arequipa, with Pastor David Ramos.

Our goals in working in the new church are: to see people saved and the church grow, to see new leadership discipled and developed, and to find a larger building for meeting. The current building we are renting will hold about 60 people and only has a main room and a small nursery. We are praying for space to be able to begin classes for children and young people as well, as there are quite a few children and young people already attending. I’m excited about the opportunity to see folks from the church with a desire to learn more from God’s Word. Each week we have several discipleship meetings in church members’ homes.

-April 24, we began to hold weekly English classes in the church. Of the 30+ people that came the opening night, more than 20 were folks who had not been to the church before. Please pray that lost souls will come to know Christ through this ministry!

-May 15, we look forward to the wedding of Alberto and Miriam. In a country where living together unmarried is “normal,” it is very exciting to see these young Christians choosing to obey the Lord and establish their home in a Christ-honoring way.

Prayer Requests:

• In March, we began a new school year at the Macedonia Baptist College with 35 students. I have the opportunity to teach 2 courses this semester. Please pray that the Lord would work in the hearts of these young people as they prepare for future service.

• We will be holding a Family Conference at the church, May 5-7. Pray that many folks will come and that decisions will be made.

• Please continue to pray that the Lord would provide a vehicle for our family.Please pray for the Lord’s leading as we seek His will about future ministry here in Arequipa.

This month we found out the exciting news that Baby #3 is on the way! We should be welcoming the new little one sometime around Thanksgiving. Please help us pray for a healthy child and a Mama who is feeling better soon!

Thank you for your love, prayers, and financial support. We could not continue in this ministry without you!

Serving with Gladness,
Robert, Sara, Josiah & Caleb Stover