Stories - by Mike Butka

I want to share with you a why our work in Trujillo is so important. I would like to share with you a true story about a family that is now part of our church in the city. Danell met with her through a friend that used to go to the same Christian Church. We want to give you a background of how some of the Christian churches are here in Trujillo and then you’ll understand why so many people don’t have a good concept on Christianity. This church is going to seem more like a cult to you. Here are some of the things that Nartiza shared with us and how it has affected her family, especially her two young children. This congregation is controlled by the Pastor; they weren’t allowed to do anything without his blessing. When our friend left that church, everyone was told that she had bad spirits and they weren’t allowed to talk to her. Certain types of music are the devil’s music and they were forbidden to listen to any of it. This really affected her six year old son when they were at birthday party, Nartiza told her son to dance with the other children because he was sitting in the corner. He told his mother “I can’t because it would be worshipping Satan”. When they got home, he told his dad that his mom tried to make him dance to Satan’s music. Some of the rituals in the church are to pass around a bag so people could throw up the demons inside of them. This is just one example of the cult like things these churches do. Because of the practice in this church, and it’s not the only one here in Trujillo, Nartiza and her family have been mentally affected by this. We are glad to report that Nartiza, her husband, Carlos and their two children are coming to service on a regular basis and they are also in our house church group. We were studying Acts 8:26, where it is talking about Philip sharing the gospel with an Ethiopian and actually baptizing him. She came alive when she found out that she can be an ambassador for Christ because she was always taught in her old church that she wasn’t ready to share her faith with others and of course she couldn’t baptize anyone. We will be doing the Peace Treaty when her husband comes home from working in Cajamarca. He works doing the week there and only comes home on the weekends. We ask that you continue to pray for Nartiza and her family. We also ask that you pray that God continues to bless the work Project New Hope is doing in Trujillo!

God Bless!
Mike and Danell