Recap: July Mission Team
We are so grateful to our July mission team for serving so faithfully. They had opportunities to serve through our church, Divine Grace, by community outreach. They gave out hygiene items to families in need and served local children of poverty by giving haircuts, painting nails, and teaching them about Jesus. They completed various projects such as deep cleaning around our home and property. They also served the young men of Casa de Reyes as well as younger boys at a local orphanage. They helped the boys tie-dye, swam with them in the Amazon river, played lots of soccer, arm-wrestled, held dance parties, and even brought out a slip-n-slide. Thanks to generous donors from the US, they were able to gift our boys with both needed and specially wanted items!
Their presence brought much joy and laughter to the people of Peru! More than that, they represented Christ well and were able to point others to him through their good works, conversations, and devotions. Peruvian lives are changed for the better as a direct result of this team. And as given testimony from multiple team members, their lives were changed as well.
Contagious Joy
Our missionaries were able to serve a beloved family by taking them to the movies. It was the first time for all of the family members to ever go to the movie theater! Missionary Caroline described the experience:
"We picked them up at the scheduled time, only to find them in their BEST clothes with the BIGGEST smiles! It was so humbling to watch them walk through the theater, pick out a snack & drink, and make their way to their seats with a smile from ear to ear that didn’t fade throughout the entire evening!
I couldn’t help but to just watch them and gaze as they snickered and giggled throughout the whole movie. Contagious JOY- that’s what comes to mind when I look at their faces and listen to their laughs."
Second Annual Gala
Tickets are LIVE- reserve your spot at our Second Annual Gala! It will be held on November 2, 2019 in Fort Mill, SC. There will be delicious food, dancing, silent auction shopping, and plenty of fellowship. You won't want to miss this event! Not to mention, you will be supporting an excellent cause!
All About the Boys
The boys just finished up exams for school. They are out of school next month for a break.
The boys helped fill in the street leading up to our property with dirt to make transportation easier after recent flooding. The neighbors were very grateful for this act of kindness that impacted them all.
Rivaldo celebrated his birthday this month and was given a party in celebration!
A paved driveway and walkway leading up to the boy's home on the property is currently being put in. The boys are excited to have these updates to their home.
The boys were thrilled to have visits this month from both the second summer team and the vision team. They are often most joyful when teams are there showing them love and attention and serving alongside them.
All About the Church
Construction has continued taking place on the church. The ceiling has been put in the church and bathrooms have been completed!
Five members of the congregation were baptized this month. It was a special time as Titus, president of Kings & Queens International, was able to be here for this event and baptize them alongside Julio, Pastor of the church and Director of Kings & Queens: Perú. We celebrate this act of obedience and bold claim of their faith!
Joining the Fight
We are especially touched by a true act of selfless love from many of our boys this month. Beth is a strong supporter and dear friend of our ministry and is also the mother of Caroline, one of our missionaries in Peru. Beth was recently diagnosed with cancer. Instead of waiting on chemo to take her hair, she decided to take it herself. Our Peruvian family rallied behind her in prayer but also in action. Missionary Mac decided to shave his own head in support of her and gave the boys to opportunity to do the same if they wanted to. Mac and Julio led by example by shaving their heads first. Many of the young men of Casa de Reyes eagerly and joyfully followed suit.
Caroline recalled the event, "We FaceTimed her before her hair appointment to show her what we would be doing while she was doing the same, and of course the tears came. I hope my mom knows she has a support system fighting alongside her from Peru."
Of this event, Beth said, "Even in this trial God has shown me His face through examples like this where His love is shared! It was so humbling and makes me love those boys even more!"
Please join us in the fighting alongside Beth through prayer. We are thankful to serve a God who fights for us!
Jumbo the Bus
The boys love Jumbo, their new bus! We were able to put new tires on it and have it up and running this week! In fact, it was used to transport our young men, our summer mission team, and another group of children to the zoo this week for a special and fun outing! What a blessing it is to own this bus and no longer have to rent such transportation as needed!
You can be a part of this work in Peru! Our Jumbo sponsorship of $175 in monthly support will fund insurance, gas, and upkeep of the bus.
Vision Team
Titus Bowen, ministry president, led a vision team to Peru this month. This group was able to see the vision of Kings & Queens first hand as they became more familiarized with all aspects of our organization on the ground in Peru. We are grateful for the interest shown by this group in our ministry and look forward to seeing how God uses this vision team to impact our ministry in the future.