The longest newsletter, update EVER! But worth the read!!!

My precious hubby spent most of the afternoon writing our newsletter and here it is in case you don't get it by e-mail. I know it's REALLY long, but it's full of what I haven't blogged about! ENJOY!!!!!


Hello. Hope this finds you well. Yes, the Pham family is still on the mission field. I (John) looked and saw that our last newsletter was back in January. Too long!!! I realize this newsletter is much longer than the others, but there is much to catch up on. But take your time and enjoy it, with our track record, who knows when we will send out the next one.

For those who don't like to download the pretty version, below is our May newsletter update. However, the pretty version, for those who want to see the pictures, is attached.

¿Que Paso?

Since our last update in January, life has been pretty tough, as well as really busy; thus the absence of regular newsletters. First, for all who do not know, Jessica is pregnant (20 weeks) with our third baby boy (5th child). However, he is not coming without a price. Jessica's first trimester was the hardest out of all the babies. She was extremely nauseous most days, during her first three months. Also, we hit the 6-month mark in Peru and hit the "culture shock/stress" wall, which we have not seen the other side of yet. So when you mix the daily nausea, the extreme heat of summer in Lima without an A/C (we did buy one for our room at nights), culture shock, missing home, and pregnancy hormones (any one of which would put one's world in turmoil), Jessica has been through the ringer. It was a daily act of obedience to realize that we are called to be here at this time to reach the lost of Lima. We had a volunteer here for 6 weeks and my (John’s) schedule was extra busy everyday with accomplishing the goals of the volunteer’s visit. Daily activities were squeezed between days when I would have to stay home or come back home, when Jessica was bed ridden or "bathroom ridden" with vomiting. This made for extra busy days when I did have a chance to get out. With the many days of being sick in the house, Jessica developed cabin fever and her Spanish was suffering which was quite discouraging for her after spending a year in language school at the sacrifice of our family. And when she was feeling better, I was gone all day leaving here with no vehicle to get out with the kids. So to say the least, this is a window into the other side of life on the field. It’s not always as glamorous and adventurous as it is made out to be. There are very real struggles. But yet God is continually faithful through each and every one of them.

But thanks to those who were praying for us and glory to God that we have come out of the other side. With the grace of our Lord, Jessica persevered through it all. Jessica is out of her first trimester and is feeling like a new woman. She is full-force back to full time home schooling as well as back to Spanish tutoring. Summer is over and it is starting to get cold again. The ladies in Oasis are happy to see Jessica back on a weekly basis as she seeks to build relationships with them. They are especially relating to her during this pregnancy as MANY of them have 4 or more children. I have adjusted my ministry schedule and am starting to find other means to make the 45-minute trip out to my ministry areas, so Jessica has the car more. The culture shock and stress is still there, but improving. We will be moving out of our high-rise apartment to an actual house with a yard in September, which we are looking forward to tremendously. The neighborhood is a tight knit, gated community, where we will have the opportunity to meet and see our neighbors more, and the kids can make some neighborhood friends. Another good note is that my mother was able to come and visit in March and see what we are doing here. This meant a lot to me since my father passed away when we arrived here, and was never able to see me fulfill my ultimate calling.

So what's in the works for the near future? The rest of May will be spent doing ministry and preparing for the 5 mission teams that are coming this summer. At the end of June our first team will arrive, followed by two in July, and then two in August. Mid-August, we will begin to disciple all the new believers from the mission trips and recover. In the beginning of September, we will start packing up the apartment, doing work to the new house, moving in and getting unpacked (Jessica will be 38 weeks at this point) - all before the baby comes October 1st.

Again, thank you to all who have been praying for us. As you can see, your prayers reach far beyond just the ministry side of life here in Lima.

Niño News
The children are doing great with home schooling. The IMB missionary in charge of home schooling came and evaluated Parker, Ally and Jaxson. All came out to be right on track or beyond where they need to be. This was a great relief to us, in light of all the transition and missed school days. Great job, Jessica! During the summer, which is January through April here, the kids were in swim lessons. They all did well and the two littlest ones are officially swimmers! Actually, Avery ended up at almost at the same level as her big brother Jaxson. Granted this is the opinion of a proud father, but Ally has the potential to be an amazing competitive swimmer. Recently, we ended the swimming lessons. Now Jaxson is in soccer with fellow Peruvians and astonishing us with his natural abilities. Parker is in karate, and Ally and Avery are in ballet together. Ally is the oldest girl in the class by 3 years, so it is more of an opportunity for her to love on the little ones. These activities give us a nice break outside of the apartment everyday. In other news, Ally has lost her first front tooth and the other one is about to fall out. She is super excited.

Ministerio Minute

Much has happened since our last update so please forgive me if this is long. I can't promise a newsletter for the next few months, as things will be crazy with the 5 teams and moving.

Oasis - The church in Oasis suffered a big change. The community reorganized and gave the residents larger lots. So everyone tore down their small wood houses, moved and rebuilt their house in entirely different locations. It was like a tornado came and flattened the place when they were in transition. In the reorganization, the community center where we were meeting was torn down, with no plans of being rebuilt because the materials were stolen in the chaos. So, for three weeks we could not meet at all. One week they were tearing down their houses, the next week they were rebuilding and the next week they had a general assembly. We were told to stay away due to danger because many people were angry and contentious during the assemblies. Then, when we were able to meet again, no one knew where anyone lived. Also there was no way to get the word out of where we were meeting, so no one knew we were even meeting nor that were meeting in a lady's house. We couldn’t find the people because we didn’t know where their new homes were located. So from the 35-40 people, we are now 10-15. We are now meeting in the back of the community in an unused, open piece of land that the community leaders (several are believers) are letting us use. But the good news is that God is starting to raise up leaders in the church that are willing to take responsibility of the work. There is a man, David, to lead the music time. Then just this past week one of the men, Alberto, agreed to teach for the first time!! I am meeting with him every week to encourage, and for now helping him prepare. Please pray for Alberto, as he is still questions his ability. So hopefully soon we will be able to complete the model, assist and leave cycle of the work in Oasis.

Santa Rosa de Villa - In January, I engaged a new area called Santa Rosa de Villa. I began to meet with one new believer, that we lead to Christ, and two mature believers. The new believer, Dora, has been growing and is starting to have a desire to reach beyond herself with the Gospel. This neighborhood is having quite a few problems. We held a community wide "meet-you-at-the-pole-like" prayer meeting. About 20 people showed up and I was able to share the Gospel with all. Four ladies made decisions to repent, trust Jesus as their Savior and surrender the control of their lives to Jesus. Others were not ready. A second Bible study has formed from that day. Please pray for these new believers as they seek to grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus.

Finally, here is a God-story. One day I was doing door-to-door evangelism in Oasis. I entered a home with a grandmother (Elvia), mother (Elizabeth) and two daughters (Daniela and Melissa). Daniela is 21 with two fatherless babies, and Melissa is 16 and pregnant with her first child with no father around. The mother and grandmother are already both believers. I shared the Gospel with all four. When it came time to for decisions, I asked if they were ready to repent, receive Jesus as their only Savior, and surrender the throne of their lives to Jesus. Daniela said she was ready, but her sister Melissa said she wasn't and walked out of the room. Daniela prayed for salvation and we all agreed to meet for weekly Bible study. I left them, and as I was walking out of the house, Victor (the uncle) was about to walk in. I was able to share the Gospel with him. At decision time, he said that he wanted to think about such a big decision. After a few moments of thought, he said he was ready and prayed for salvation. We met in the house for Bible study the first week. The second week another aunt (Sonja) and the man of the house (Roberto) were in attendance. At the end of our meeting I shared the Gospel and gave an invitation. Melissa said she was ready this time, as well as Sonja. Both prayed for salvation. However, Roberto said he was not ready. Then this past week (week four), Roberto said he was ready and prayed to repent, receive and surrender control to Jesus. We had a wonderful time of singing after this! All glory to Our Almighty Father!! This was all such a reminder to me that it is nothing I do. Rather, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in His timing. Each time the message and delivery was the same. Why were they not ready one week and ready another time? God's work and timing is His. Please pray for this family as we continue to meet, as they seek to grow, and that God will move them to continue to share their faith with others.

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Pat yourself on the back if you made it to the end of this!!! !:)