Mt. Vernon Baptist Church team members were so blessed to deliver the first shoeboxes from Samaritan’s Purse in the village of Challhuahuacho. This small village, outside of Curahuasi, Peru, has a small Baptist church where few of the locals gather each week to worship our Lord and Savior. Close to 50 children arrived on this beautiful, sunny day, under a small tin roof to receive their gift. Working along side the local pastor, names were gathered months in advance and the children arrived with smiles on their faces and hearts filled with anticipation as they waited patiently to receive their beautiful box. Prior to each child receiving their gift, the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST was shared to all, including mothers and fathers who circled around this small sheltered area. We praised God through song and worship and taught the children how to sing Jesus Loves Me in their native language of Spanish (Cristo Me Ama).

Great joy filled each child’s face as they opened these precious boxes, that were packaged by many individuals and churches all over the world. Smiles and laughter filled the small, grassy area, as each child reached for the items in the box. Hand written letters were in many of the boxes and the children asked us to translate and share with them personally what was written on them. Photos were a huge highlight, as the children gazed and wondered who the families were that they were now holding in their hands. What a blessing to see, as one child held a card from New York and for some time, would not put the card down to look at the other toys waiting inside the box. Tears filled our eyes! What AMAZING LOVE was shown to so many living in great poverty.

Before each child left, a New Testament was given to all. We taught the children how to find John 3:16 in the Bible and had them recite this verse and explained again how God sent His one and only Son to be the Savior of the world. A Bible reading plan was given to each person in attendance, as we encouraged all the families to study God’s Word daily. We invited all to come and attend a weekly discipleship at their local church to come and learn more about the God’s amazing love and grace.

The following week, at our first discipleship meeting, close to 70 children arrived, ready to learn more about Jesus Christ. Not one child asked for a box. We praise God for His faithfulness, for all the families who packaged these incredible boxes, for Samaritan’s Purse and this amazing outreach ministry, and for God opening this door to share the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST to the children and adults of Challhuahuacho. Please join us in prayer as we continue to lead the discipleship meetings in this area and for the other remote areas that we will be traveling to deliver more boxes. Pray for hearts to be open to hearing the GOSPEL and for many to become followers of JESUS CHRIST.

May God Bless You All!

The Heath Family

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

~John17:3

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHALLHUAHUACHO

                                                                              Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Team ~ Boone, North Carolina