3 Years After the Peru Earthquakes

        	              

Chincha homeAugust 15, 2007 — Two back-to-back earthquakes destroy more than 40,000 homes in Chincha Alta, Peru.




June 2008 — A missionary couple with TouchGlobal, the EFCA’s crisis response ministry, move to Chincha to minister to the Peruvians whose homes and lives were devastated by the earthquakes.




August 15, 2010 — Three years after the earthquakes, ministry continues to progress and God continues to work in Peru. In the midst of joys and praises, a harsh reality remains for many families.



Ministry past, present and future



After the earthquakes, in place of stable homes, thousands of families moved into houses made of woven reeds — offering them little to no protection from the elements and vermin. A key part of the ReachGlobal ministry over the past two years has been to construct permanent, stable housing for families in need.




To build a house requires funding, and all funding to date has come from short-term teams. About twenty teams have already traveled to Chincha to construct new 18 homes for families in need and share the gospel of Christ. As of August 16, the third anniversary of the quakes, more than forty families remain on a waiting list to receive a new home from ReachGlobal.




Construction ministry has opened many other doors in the community. As one of the ReachGlobal staff shares, "I’ve been very impressed by the effectiveness of holistic ministry. When significant needs are met in the name of Jesus, the gospel of Jesus becomes very credible."




In addition to planting a house church in the community, ReachGlobal ministry in Chincha also includes a full slate of weekly opportunities to receive spiritual teaching, discipleship and encouragement:



    

  • Monday night youth group
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  • Tuesday night Bible study with Felix, a Peruvian EFC missionary to Chincha and partner of ReachGlobal
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  • Tuesday night couples’ Bible study
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  • Thursday night Bible study
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  • Friday afternoon women’s Bible study
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  • Friday night men’s Bible study (every other week)
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  • Sunday evening church and Bible study
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Firefighters in ChinchaRecently, the women’s Bible study helped lead Vacation Bible School in the local community, sharing God’s love with over 100 children. ReachGlobal is also partnering with International Relief Missions to begin a chaplaincy in the Chincha fire department.




The team is encouraged by how the Lord is working in this new ministry with the fire department. A leader in his community, Percy — a firefighter trainer and national policeman — has begun to show serious interest in spiritual things. Through friendships and relationships with leaders like Percy, ReachGlobal prays that, over time, opportunities to develop strong Christian leadership in the community will grow.




The need for Christ is tremendous. The harvest field in Chincha can be difficult. However, as ReachGlobal continues to minister to the whole person, doors continue to open.



Join the response, minister for Christ in Peru


Pray


    

  • For Percy and the Chincha fire department — that these strong community leaders would come to know Christ personally and become strong leaders for Christ in the community
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  • For more opportunities to share Christ’s love — through holistic ministry and through direct communication of the gospel of Christ
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  • For short-term teams to sponsor homes and participate in the construction
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  • For the Peruvian people to open their hearts and minds to the love of Christ — to accept Him whole-heartedly and grow mightily
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ConstructionGo



Serve in Peru on a short-term team. A team of 12 provides sufficient funds to build a brand-new home for a family in need — and the team is blessed to share in the construction process alongside local Peruvians.



Give


    

  • Donate to the ministry in Chincha today. Give online or make checks payable to "EFCA" including "Peru Earthquake Relief - #21709-3991" on the memo line. 
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  • Or mail a check to:
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TouchGlobal

c/o Trinity Church

19380 N. 10th Street 

Covington, LA 70433



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