DTS UNITED in Peru: Update 1

Loving God's Peruvian people!!

Off to a Great Start in Peru!

The team of 19 , comprised of 10 students and 9 staff from YWAM Pittsburgh and YWAM Boston, departed from Pittsburgh on May 23rd, headed south to Lima, Peru, South America to go share the light of Christ with this wonderful nation. After a short stint in the capitol of Lima, the team is now in Huaycan, working with Iglesia Filadelfia. We have worked with Pastor Immanuel there for years now and have developed a deep love and partnership with him, his family and his congregation.

Gathering bags of food & Bibles for the people
living in the mountainous region of Huaycan

John Matarazzo, the team leader, reports that the unity of the team has been awesome. A few team members joined up with everyone about a week later and it was a real boost. The faithful Peruvian translators have also integrated well into the team dynamic.

The following is a short account from John about what God is up to in Peru:

"During our first show in Huaycan, we performed in the main plaza. The chief security officer in the city came and was asking me a lot of questions. After talking with us for a while he decided that he was going to give us an escort around the city. He told us that he was also a Christian and gave us his personal cell phone number. He told us that whatever we needed, just give him a call. So we have been riding police vehicles with escorts where ever we want to go in Huaycan... even way up in the hills. God's favor is great!

The most gracious Huaycan police escorts

Staff & students playing soccer with the locals while
others finish sharing the Gospel with those still seated.

"For our first week we had 447 decisions for Christ! [this includes up to about last Wednesday, June 1st]. There were also over 100 salvations in the two days following. This morning we went into a school of 285 students, did the show [a couple dances and a Gospel-based drama], gave an alter call and went into the classrooms to share more. This afternoon we went way up the mountain to share with people up there. I bought a map of Huaycan... we went off the map. It was awesome! The team loved it!"

We're so happy to see God continuing to move in this nation! In 2004, we took our first trip there and have been back countless time since. See our website for more info on our past work in Peru.

Please continue to pray for our team. We will keep you updated in their work, stories and adventures. Stay tuned!

Ove & Out,
Tara