Project New Hope International

Fear of Goals

2011-07-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

I just read a short article on setting goals. The message got me thinking. Many of us don't like setting goals. They create fear in us: fear of failure, losing, embarrassment, setbacks, starting over, and ridicule.

Here’s what Paul says about goals in Acts 20:24 “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace..” All those who enjoy sports understand goals. When we play sports the goal is clear, defeat our opponent. In playing sports, there will always be one winner and one loser. We love winning and hate losing.

A goal of every Christian should be to serve our King well. We risk falling short of our goal. However, failure cannot be an excuse for ceasing to serve and be obedient to the Lord. Christ is the standard – he never gives up!. Serving our Lord may include building a congregation, working in missions or supporting a non-profit. All of these endeavors require goals. These goals may include growing in number and to grow in influence for the Lords Kingdom. While laudable, these goals can closely resemble the secular view of goal setting; bigger, better, more powerful. In contrast, the Lords view of goal setting requires personal character development of every believer i.e.; humility, service, selflessness. Tiger Woods was winning in skill, but losing in character. We have all heard of Christians who have done the same; build churches, missions, and non-profits, only to fall short in personal issues.

I don't like losing. I don't like failing. The fear of these can keep me from setting goals and pressing ahead. Setting goals is to ask to be evaluated and criticized, normally we do all we can to avoid that. But to “play the game” is to risk failing or losing. But to not set goals is to risk never accomplishing what we can do for the King and His Kingdom. To not set goals is like the man who ‘buried’ his gift of money for fear of losing it and receiving the anger of the boss.

Fear can keep us from receiving the blessings of the Lord and the joy of a job well done. Set no goals and we feel like we can't lose and therefore no one can evaluate our failures or shortcomings. Setting low goals shows lack of faith in the Lord. When we set Godly goals, we place ourselves in a position of obedience to the Lord through which we experience satisfaction, fulfillment, and the excitement of accomplishing something worthwhile.

Godly goals are those structured by the objectives of our Lord for His Kingdom and His plan for our lives. These are not always easy to identify. I fear many times we set goals to “model” a successful person we admire thinking this is what the Lord would have us do. Instead we should be doing our best in accordance with the gifts God has given us.

The major goal is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. And then to love others the same. Then comes the task of carrying out His great commission, making disciples and helping them grow into a mature body of believers for Jesus.

Let us not live in fear. Let us set goals that we can only reach with God's help and the power He gives us. Let's move ahead. Maybe we won't achieve all our goals. However, I remember the saying, "It is better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all."

Let us set goals. Remember, in baseball terms, if we hit .300, we will be among the best to ever play the game. We may fail, but know that the Lord uses both our successes and failures to work His will in each of our lives.

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up each time we fail." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Together setting Godly goals to build His Kingdom,

John

Spiritual Growth

2011-05-01T14:38:00.001-07:00

Mike and I (Dani) have great updates on the spiritual growth of two people who have come to know our Lord and Savior this past year.

First there is Jenny! We wrote about her in July of last year. Jenny was pregnant when her husband, Santos, was killed by a truck and left on the side of the road. Since then, Jenny has had her baby boy and named him Santos. Recently, Santos was baptized. Jenny started a small business selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches on the weekends in her barrio. A church in Alaska donated money to help her get started with her business. Jenny has gone through our ambassador program and is now an ambassador for Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.” This program teaches people how to share their faith and evangelize using another tool called the “Peace Treaty.” Jenny is also being discipled and trained to be a leader in her barrio. Since she accepted Christ, she has transformed from a shy timid individual into a confident witness of the gospel. She is growing in Christ and becoming a great instrument for His Kingdom.

The other update is Victor. Victor is the taxi driver that shared his desire to commit suicide with one of our staff members. Our staff member shared the love of Jesus with him and he gave his life to Christ. Since his baptism, he has become involved with the men’s group in the city church and is an active church member. He not only attends church on Sundays, but he also attends one of our house churches during the week. He is so grateful for how God has changed his life! Victor is studying God’s word regularly. He just finished the ambassador program and joined the City Church preaching team. Victor is concerned that he is doing too much because someone told him to take it easy. We encouraged him that when God speaks it is His timing and we all need to obey His call. We also encouraged Victor not to allow anyone to squash his walk with Christ.

We ask that you keep these two children of God in your prayers as they continue to grow in their faith. We also ask that you keep this project in your prayers. We are making a real difference in the lives of many in Trujillo!

God Bless,

Mike and Dani

BUILDING A TEAM

2011-04-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

I want to give you, our Partners, an overview of what Mike does to lead our team in Peru.

Mike comes from a sports background. He understands team play and team work. He has, as many of you have said, street smarts. He is astute and wise, and learns from what is going on around him. He is willing to work and work hard. He sees the big picture of why God has us in Peru and he understands our goals. He has been able to translate our strategies into actions and successfully lead our team.

Tim Coop has said of him, "Mike knows how to speak the truth in love." Many know how to speak the truth, but they do damage when they attempt to do so. Many love, but hold back and don't speak the truth out of fear. Mike is good at being honest, upfront, calling it as it is, without destroying the person he is talking to or his relationship with them. They know he loves them. That makes it easier to be told the truth.

Oh, he gets frustrated, and tired, and discouraged at moments. But like a great coach, team leader, and servant of Christ he learns from those moments and leads with greater passion to serve our Lord.

I have several conversations each week with Mike. I visit Peru every couple of months to have face to face time with him. There are also a couple other Christian men (Tim Coop and Mack Jennings) who speak with him weekly and who travel to Peru throughout the year. They help encourage and coach Mike in a number of areas. Dale Pyne, a supporter of PNHI, had Mike take the Birkman test, which will help him flourish in his work. I tell you this, so that you know, that we are a team - working together to carry out the Mission in Peru

Mike has taken his life experiences, the training and coaching he received and has developed his own style of team leadership. And it is a very good one. Below is a short list of some of Mike’s character strengths and his ability to lead:

1) He is open to hearing new ideas
2) He is teachable
3) He is sincere and humble
4) He is wise. Beyond his years
5) He understands why we are in Peru and is committed to training our team to carry out the task
6) He gives our team freedom to carry out the task and does not 'ride' them to get it done. He lets them do their job.
7) He disciples the team and individual key leaders
8) He takes a personal interest in their work, their effectiveness and their personal live

What does Mike do with our team? Let me list just a few items:

Team Building:

a. He has team meetings every Tuesday morning

b. He has pulls the team together for a 'praise, prayer and sharing time' every week. Having different team members lead each week.

c. He has established a "TeamWork" time when they talk about their jobs. Mike shares concepts and tools with them.

d. Every Friday he meets with our Key Leaders; those who are helping lead their smaller teams within the team. They go over their work and their team’s progress.

e. He regularly evaluates the entire team’s ministry/mission work. This helps them see where they are, what they are doing well and how to improve their work. Each week his Leaders are required to turn in a statistics report covering all activities in their barrios.

f. He has Team Goals, where the Leaders are required to work together, each doing their part to help the TEAM reach the common goal.

g. He has established monthly training with the team to help them learn how to be more effective in their roles.

h. He has set up discipleship studies with the entire staff to help them grow spiritually. They are currently studying "Experiencing God". He told me, “After just a few weeks of this study, he has seen an increased positive attitude in the entire team.” He has previously taken them through studies on leadership, personal living, finances, and marriage. As a result of all of these discipling activities he gets involved in the Team’s personal lives; coaching, encouraging, counseling and at times confronting them.

i. He invites others, mainly visitors from the U.S., to share with the team when they are in Peru. I just spent 4 mornings with the team teaching “Dragon Slayers”. Jim Larsen, another partner with PNHI, will be teaching the team "How to Listen" in an upcoming seminar. Jim also tries to get out and about to see what the team is doing 'on the ground' during his visits. He then shares with Mike any suggestions of improvement he can offer.

Mike also has to deal with financial issues, budgets, public relations, visiting teams, and individual visitors. And even with all he does for others he makes sure to carve out time to be with our Lord and Savior, and care for and love his family.

This is HARD work folks, being 4500 miles from all that he grew up with in the U.S., his family and friends, leading a team of people in another language, with a different culture. Mike and his family know that they couldn’t do all that needs to get done without God’s involvement in their daily lives.

Mike is an amazing man, steward, Christian, servant; please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Also, please keep our team in your prayers. Lastly, please pray that God will continue to provide all that PNHI needs to continue to be a blessing in Peru. We would like you to know that we pray for each of you, our partners, that God will pour out His mighty blessings on you and through you. Thanks be to God and each of you, our partners, for making it possible to do what God has called us to do in Peru.

In Him

John Hendee

Suffering in this life.

2011-03-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I have a new and special verse to guide me this year. I have many favorites, but this one is at the top of the list.

For those who don’t know me, I am normally a positive and upbeat person; when things are positive and upbeat. Recently I have been slipping into a ‘funk’ and not dealing well with difficulties.

With that knowledge about me, let me explain how God presented the verse to me. The verse was an awakening in the midst of a struggle. Oh, I have read it many times, but this time it was like a Doctor touching your back, looking to find where the pain is located. When God presented the verse to me, I remember saying to myself; “Ouch, that’s it.” Like the Great Physician He is, God exposed my tender spot.

Forty years ago, I was going through a tough time. I was driving alone in California and having a great “pity party”. The imagery included black streamers, confetti, etc. In the midst of it, God rained on my party. He put a thought in my head. I tried to block it out. I knew it was going to ruin my party. “Bah humbug”, I thought. I had been driving along complaining and whining to God about all the things that weren’t going my way: situations out of my control, people not doing what I wanted, etc. etc. The rain (the thought) hit me like a flash of lightening, followed shortly by thunder. The steamers were sagging. My hair and clothes were all wet (figuratively speaking). I couldn’t stop it. The pity party was over.

The thought was this; “John, God isn’t near as interested in changing your circumstances as He is in using your circumstances to change you.” My reaction was “delete; erase; wipe off; paint over; do something, quick”. I didn’t want to hear this from God. It was too late. I was nailed, and I knew it. I was begging and pleading to God to change all the circumstances and people around me, but God wanted to change me! AAUUGGGHHHH! Bummer!

God knew best then, and He still does today. Decades have passed. Circumstances and challenges have changed. What God wants has not changed - He wants me to be more like Jesus.

It has taken me awhile, but I have learned God’s answer to the joy and peace I seek. It does not come from changing circumstances or modifying others behavior; but true joy and peace comes from His internal changes in me.

Now to the ‘new’ verse… Romans 5:3-4.

“3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

I’m convinced that God placed this verse into my life now to reinforce what I learned 40 years ago; “keep growing.”

Looking back over the past 64 years, I spent a lot of time whining, complaining, begging, pleading and trying to cajole God into ‘removing’ problems, headaches, heartaches, and sufferings in my life.

I am pretty good at thanking God for the good things in my life. But the tough stuff….well, not so good.

We all know that we ought to praise God and thank Him for His mercy, grace, salvation and loving kindness. Romans 5:3 tells us, we should rejoice during the difficult times we encounter - The Suffering. That’s what hit me in the heart – rejoice in our sufferings! OH man, that’s tough stuff!

These verses illustrated the balance I need in my life. I need to be grateful for the good God has done in my life, and I also need to rejoice for the Godly RESULTS that come when everything doesn’t go right and I suffer!

Periods of suffering can result in strengthening perseverance, character, hope and love. This is the good in which I should rejoice!

I need those things. I want those things. However, this strengthening does not come during the calm happy times, but when I am facing challenges in life. I’m not saying I rejoice in the suffering itself, but what can and will come from the suffering; that is what I rejoice in - The growth in my personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the transformation into His likeness.

The new verse inspires the following comparison: I decide I want to get in the best physical shape of my life. I go to the sports store and buy exercise equipment. I take it home and set it all up in the living room. Then I sit back on the couch with gratitude and look at it. I am so grateful to have some of the best equipment the industry offers. I talk about it, thank God for it. But I don’t use it. Using it means I have to sweat and build up endurance – suffer! It is going to be painful at times – suffer! So to get in the physical condition I want to be in and to build the physical muscles, there is no other way, but to use the equipment and suffer!

This comparison confirms that to build perseverance (as called out in Romans 5:3-4), I need to build stamina to deal with the challenges in life. I must face my struggles today. I can’t run from them. I can’t ask someone else to face them for me.

I made the commitment to stop whining and complaining. It’s time to rejoice in the sufferings. With this new verse (Romans 5:3-4), my focus is on future results, not on momentary inconveniences, suffering or pain. What a way to show my faith in God and His plan for my life! I would have thought that this lesson God taught me all those years ago would have stayed with me forever. However, recently I have found myself back on the couch and questioning God about the suffering. But not anymore, I’m moving on, using this lesson to grow!

So look for the new revived me as I grow in character and strengthen my perseverance - via the suffering. My goal is to develop a stronger character and deepen the hope I have in Jesus. I also hope to be more loving, like God.

I can’t be a Romans 5:3-4 Christian just by sitting in worship service, privately studying the Bible, or praising God for all He has done. These are good and helpful, but to live out God’s calling in my life, I must go beyond that. I will rejoice in the tough things that come my way, knowing that God will use these for my benefit.

Romans 8:28, 29 has a number of great promises:

“WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS; GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” What a promise - He works out all things for our good. What is the Good He speaks of? We see this in verse 29; “TO BE CONFORMED TO THE LIKENESS OF HIS SON.” This is what is good and this is God’s desire for each of us.

So, suffering is part of that process. What could be better than to be more like Jesus? In God’s eyes, nothing. Once we see things as God does, we will see the value of that too. We will rejoice before God in our suffering and hard times. The result is perseverance, Jesus-like character and hope.

May God use these words to help you as you face your sufferings in this life.

God bless
Love in Him
John

My heart, energy, and support.

2011-03-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

We cannot reach the world using the kind of mission strategies we already have! That’s why Project New Hope International in Trujillo, Peru has my heart, energy, and support.

PNHI is

* Training nationals to develop a reproducible, expandable, self-sustaining, disciple making, church planting movement.

* Training communities to solve their own problems by modeling community development rather than relief

* Planting and multiplying definable and reproducible house churches

* Constantly expanding to new territory

In four years we:

· Are working in 14 barrios

· Have stared over 80 house churches

· Have 1900 individuals in attendance every week.

· Participated in over 230 baptisms

· Have seen 4200 lives touched by programs/services of PNHI

· Have developed a six year strategy for moving to new barrios and cities

It is exciting to see how a new paradigm is working so effectively. John Hendee, our Executive Director, is having wonderful opportunities to share the PNHI story with other missions. We feel like we have just gotten started, just broken through.

Recently I have asked some church leaders the following questions.

· Have you re-envisioned and re-purposed your approach to missions?
· Are you involved in potential history-making ventures?
· Is your mission’s ministry looking for a vital partnership?
· Could we talk?

I feel so passionate about using our mission resources in creative ways that I can’t help but share everywhere I go about what God is doing in Trujillo.

Tim Coop

Stories from Trujillo!

2011-02-07T15:48:00.001-08:00

Hello to all! I know that it has been a while since we have updated the blog. Mike and Danell are just returning to Trujillo after taking a much need sabbatical. They have been working so hard over the last year. I am certain that the trip back to the States (and Canada) gave them a chance to catch up with family and supporters.

As for me, I am just got back from Peru. Mike and Danell have shared countless stories about people they have come in contact with and the amazing way that God is transforming lives. This time it is my turn. I want to tell you about a remarkable person I met.

Her name is Virginia and what a story she has to tell! She is a new heroine of mine. She is 30 years old and is a mother of four. Her husband is a lawyer, but has left her.

Virginia experienced a hard childhood, basically abandoned by her parents. She was a victim of a harsh abuse which I won't detail here. (Not by her husband) Four or 5 years ago she had a stroke and ended up in a wheelchair paralyzed. Her two older children started encouraging her every day, "Come on mama, get up, get up. Come on mama, get up, get up." They were persistent and she was determined. Today you would never know she had been paralyzed to see her walking around; there are no outward symptoms in her face, walk or anything.

Virginia is a giver. Last December before coming in contact with Mara (on our team) she was helping the people in some barrio put together a Christmas party for the children. She liked helping people.

One morning she was in her house and she prayed, "God why am I here. What do you want me to do?" She got up to go someplace, went to the street, hailed a cab, got in and found a flyer Mara had left there about the Women's Village work. She contacted Mara and found the answer to her morning prayer. Amazing! She is now serving as a volunteer helping battered and abused women. She goes door to door in the poor areas talking to women. She also visits the prison to encourage and help women there. She goes to the barrios and meets the leaders of drug gangs and talks to them. They know her and she knows them and she talks to them about the damage they are causing. They sit and listen. She got one to commit to stop selling drugs.

After meeting Mara this past December (less than 2 months ago) she was taken through the Peace Treaty lessons. She accepted Christ and was baptized. She wants to learn how to use the Peace Treaty so she can share Christ with others.

Just amazing!

God is working in her life BUT that is only possible because she desires it and she is living to give to others.

I hope you will be inspired by knowing this little bit about her. What a model she is for all of us.
Oh, she has also started studying law, to become a lawyer so she can help battered women in the legal area.
Thanks Jesus for people like Virginia.

God Bless each of you!
John Hendee

PNHI's Key Strategies

2011-01-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

PNHI’s Key Strategies

We have an illustration to show the “Key Strategies” that we are using in Peru now.
They are what we formally called our Four Rocks, but are now calling Key Strategies. They identify our main methods of carrying out our mission in Peru. What you see below is our triangle showing our Four Rocks and what follows is a further explanation of each part of it.

It is simple to see. It is a huge task to carry out, but we are doing it and we are seeing fruit from it. We believe it is a model many missions can use around the world

Our mission is to start (which we have) and help sustain a National led, church planting movement that is expanding and reproducing.

We start with #1 called Third Man. This is our adaptation of CHE. It is our method of entering a new barrio and starting to work with the local leaders to teach them how to make positive changes they want in their community. That puts us in weekly contact with them. We build relationships and gain trust and confidence. We start doing Oral Bible story telling in our meetings with them.

We continue to #2 called Bridges. That is the name for our home groups we start with anyone interested in a ‘home’ meeting of sharing Oral Bible story telling. Our goal is to convert these groups into House Churches. We work to make that happen.

We then move on to #3 called Teach/Train. That includes all the things we do to help equip those we reach for Christ. We do training in the Third Man, Bridges, Peace Treaty, and our Leadership Training Program. This also includes our teaching program for new Christians.

The triangle in the center is called Peace Treaty. This represents that we train all of our leaders and will constantly be seeking to train all Christians we have contact with in how to share the Gospel one on one using “The Peace Treaty” evangelistic presentation. Our people need to be prepared at all times to share the Good News ‘in season and out of season." That means at any moment in the whole process. If they earn the right to be heard they can offer the Peace Treaty with someone or a family and get started.

I hope this gives you a different perspective on how we are building relationships and sharing the Good News with the people of Trujillo!

God Bless!
John Hendee

A Christmas Message from John!

2010-12-23T20:00:00.001-08:00

He gave so we might have.
We give so they might have.

Christmas is about giving.
God gave so we could have life, eternal life.
We give in turn so others can have life, the abundant life and
eternal life.

There are so many giving of their time, energy and money so
that what is happening in Peru will continue to grow and thrive.
We thank one and all for their support, their prayers, their time,
and their giving.

Thanks to our Team in Peru.
Thanks to our Supporters in the U.S.
Thanks to our Board members.
Thanks to other volunteers who are helping out.

May 2011 be an even greater year of fruit and blessings for Him.
Merry Christmas and May God bless you and yours with a great year
of service in 2011.

Love in Him
John and Carla Hendee

A Success Story?

2010-12-22T19:21:00.000-08:00

Could this be the beginning of a real mission’s success story? The jury may still be out but take a look at the success PNHI is having in Trujillo and you be the judge!

This is why I think we are seeing a Mission Success Story in Peru. It is early on. It is fragile but we work to change that with time and a good plan.
In 4 1/2 years (with 2 lost years) we are seeing something amazing. It is the most amazing story I know of in my limited experience in Latin missions. I'm not out to compare it to all others, but just think about this! This is Mike's FIRST year working with 'his own team'; that is the team he has rebuilt, then recruited some, trained them all, and worked with them individually, etc.

We have a different strategy in Peru than most of our churches have up here in the US. We know that. But that doesn't minimize the impact of what is going on in Peru. We are in the EARLY stages of this whole thing. We are 'GOING' out, building relationships with people, winning them to Christ and incorporating them into the Body of Christ. We aren't building a building to try to get them all to come to ONE place for a service. It is much harder. I've done both.

We know that we will get the best picture of how we are doing when we can compare a month from this year to a like month next year, but please indulge me. I think you will agree the numbers that you see below, comparing attendance in January to October in 2010 is truly amazing. Look at this.

JAN OCT

# HOUSE CHURCHES (Adults) 17 66
# ATTENDING (these are adults) HC 248 512
CHILDREN IN STORY TELLING 245 835

Each of the above are all one month records.

YOUTH IN STORY TELLING 84 257

Our average attendance for the month August through October was 264, pretty amazing!

# OF PEOPLE WE HAVE WEEKLY
CONTACT WITH THROUGH ONE OF
OUR ROCKS/MINISTRIES 720 3594

The October number in this category is also a record for one month.

Total
Peace Treaties done this year 459
Baptisms for the year so far 199

So, you be the judge! Is this becoming a GREAT mission’s story? I think it is!

I ask that you pray daily for the work that is going on there. I ask that you pray for our team and the people that they are reaching!

God bless you all!
Love in Him,
John Hendee

2010-12-02T17:36:00.001-08:00

I had an opportunity to visit Trujillo this November (2010) for about my twelfth time and had a very good, long visit. As you will see later, it might have seemed longer to others. It took me 72 hours from my door in Arizona to my room in Trujillo (thanks once again, American Airlines) and my luggage 96 hours to make the same trip. Boy, did that first shower feel good!

Ordinarily I visit Trujillo with the primary focus on the businesses and the business people. Of course, this is not the primary reason that Proyecto Nueva Esperanza (PNE) exists in Peru but it has been my assigned area of focus. But, I wanted to make a trip where the primary focus would be the barrios, the barrio leaders, the barrio people, the barrio churches and the people of Trujillo, all the ones we are there to help.

In the past, I stayed in a hotel near the center of town, where my activities were located. But, this time, I had the grand good fortune to be able to stay where the action is, at the home of Mike, Dani, Skylar and Nicole Bukta, our missionary leaders in Trujillo (yes, these are the other people to whom my stay might have seemed longer). Nicole generously gave me her room and Skylar generously shared her bed with her younger sister for the ten days of my invasion. Thanks, girls!

When I first arrived, I could not help but notice how different the lives and availabilities of the missionaries are from what we have become so accustomed to. For instance, we have and take for granted
State-of-the-art medical care and protection
High quality public education
Public libraries crammed with books in our native language
Traffic (relative and predictable) safety
Reliable utilities
Many, many creature comforts
Freedoms in the USA fiber
Sanitation
Solitude
Support groups with our standards and mores
Stores galore of every variety
A choice of golf courses
Multiple sporting events to attend
Supermarket conveniences
Encouragement
Pure water
Water pressure
Hot water on demand
Full sized appliances
And on, and on, and on and on

So, I noticed that I missed some of these things when I first arrived but that the Buktas did not seem to. Then, when I left, I noticed that I did not miss them nearly as much and I actually became pretty adept at shopping at the nearby Wong’s Grocery Store (a supermarket byTrujillo standards). But enough of this observation.
This trip was centered in three places outside of the Bukta home. First, the PNE offices with the members of the team, from some new members to three of the longer term (read “original) team members, attending planning sessions, training sessions, church services, carrying out plans and programs and just general camaraderie. Second, I spent much of my time out in the “field,” working with the two women (Mara and Deysi, pronounced Daisy) who make the womens’ village function, passing out fliers in clinics, police stations, hospitals, crisis centers and watching them counsel people on the streets when asked, put up posters in the local market areas (much like our farmers’ markets but with many, many stalls), meet with a Police Commandant and generally get the word out to the people about where the refuge center is, what we do there and how they are welcome there. And, of course, there was always plenty of mention of God and our project. Dani was also with us and on several occasions she got the opportunity to evangelize and offer God’s peace to women in troubled situations of abuse of some sort.

Thirdly, I also went deep into one of the rougher barrios, south Buenos Aires, which is located right on the Pacific Ocean (would have been a great resort area with a lot of modification). I accompanied Don Lawrence, another project director whose church had taken a collection and provided a ton of money to buy cooking stoves for barrio homes. These stoves are used to eliminate the problem of smoke in the barrio homes by containing it in the stove proper and venting it to the outside air. It will be a huge improvement to health and general living conditions in the barrios. By the time the funds run out, there will be close to 500 stoves installed.

While in Buenos Aires barrio, we were invited inside some of the homes and I was impressed with the level of development of some of the houses. Keep in mind that these folks start out with cardboard walls at first, with no utilities whatsoever and eventually end up with solid walled homes, with windows and electricity. I do not believe that running water has made it yet, though, as most of the homes had multiple large containers of water in the kitchen area. Most would have small animal farms with chickens, cuyes (a hamster like critter that is a food staple throughout Peru) and other “dinner” products. One place really caught my eye. The man of the house had a regular job. He had moved into the barrio some ten years ago in the cardboard shack and had steadily improved his family’s living conditions over the years. He now has tile floors and walls, framed pictures on the walls (at least one of our Lord in each house), kitchen fixtures, even a refrigerator, a television, etc. He had made many improvements and they seemed quite comfortable. His wife even had a flower garden in front. They also host one of the weekly house church services in their home and their walls were resplendent with training materials and progress charts for the members of his small “congregation.”

It was a wonderfully enlightening visit for me and I feel blessed to have been able to experience the ongoing work and results of the past work that Mike and Dani and the rest of the team have been responsible for promoting and carrying out. It was beautiful but humbling to see! Praise the Lord.

But most of all, my time as a welcome member of the Bukta family was wonderful. Boy do those folks (all four of them) work hard and put in a lot of hours. PTL again!

God Bless! Mack Jennings

He's the Third Man

2010-11-17T05:08:00.000-08:00

We use the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 to teach about the third way theory that we use to show that there are 3 types of people in the world. In the parable, the robbers demonstrate the first man philosophy that is, “what is yours is mine if I can take it”. The two religious leaders that just walked by and showed indifference shows the second man philosophy and that is,” what is mine is mine if I can maintain it.” And the Samaritan that helped a stranger shows the third man philosophy, which is, “what is mine is yours and if you need more I will try and help.” People are really intrigued when we share the third way with them. I want to tell you about a police commissioner that we met when Mack Jennings was here visiting us in Trujillo. We went there to talk about the Women’s Village and how we can work together. The police commissioner named Edwin shared with us some interesting facts. There are 56 barrios in the city of Trujillo; this doesn’t include the barrios surrounding Trujillo. Commissioner Edwin is in charge of 27 of these barrios. The national level there is supposed to be about 3,000 citizens to one police officer. Well, in this district there are about 50,000 citizens per one police officer. So obviously they are a little short of staff. Edwin proceeded to tell us about the changes that he is putting in place and how he treats his employees. For example, since he’s been working with the Women’s Village and learning about how to handle women that are victims of domestic violence, he has hired 2 women police officers. These officers are in charge of working with women that have been abused and helping them to feel more safe and comfortable. Also, he wants his staff to feel respected and to work with dignity to build their self-esteem. Commissioner Edwin tries to get donations from others in the community and also teaches his staff to do the same. They’re working as a team and not waiting for handouts. We feel that Edwin really has compassion and wants to make a difference. He’s the Third Man.

God works in such awesome ways!

2010-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

My experience with Edward and his niece Vanessa.
The ministry of missions has a way of creating some very interesting situations and some that become so very rewarding. This month I would like to share a story with you about a Peruvian living in the United States and his niece whom he has seen very little. God works in such awesome ways!
I was standing in line to board my plane in Trujillo, Peru. I was on my way to Lima to connect with my flight home to the U.S. This was early in 2010. I struck up a conversation with the gentleman behind me. His name is Edwardo. He is a Peruvian who has lived in Texas for many years. He asked me what I was doing there in Peru so I told him about the Project. He was pleased to hear of all we were doing.
We exchanged emails and later he wrote me asking me if I would meet with his niece on a return trip. I promised I would.
I tried on the following trip but couldn’t reach her by phone. So one of my last trips I made contact with her and we arranged to meet outside of Tony and Kellies place. She got lost on the way and showed up 45 minutes late but I kept waiting for her. Her name is Vanessa and she is a student at National University. Just as she arrived our group of U.S. visitors was going to dinner so I invited her to join us a block away. So during dinner we visited a lot and she also got to know Mike and Danell who sat with us.
During the conversation I asked her about her religious background. She has one but is not active. As you could guess, I asked her if she would like to go through the Peace Treaty lessons. I worked up to that in my usual way. She was very interested. Then I asked Danell if she would do it with her. She had her calendar out before I could ask.
Very recently Vanessa went to Danell's and they did the first lesson of the Peace Treaty. Then they invited her to stay for their House Church. Afterwards she said she hadn’t encountered so much love in the last many years as she was finding in one evening.
She shared some of her life story with Mike and Danell. She has passed through some tough times recently. She is really a special young woman. She was sharing with them how she is amazed how all this happened in the last two weeks. She said that ‘this is not a coincidence’. She sees how God is seeking her out.
She is amazed how her uncle (whom she has only seen once in her life) encouraged her to meet a gringo she had never met. She was lost and showed up 45 minutes late. He invited her to join them for dinner. She met Mike and Danell. She is hearing of God’s great love for her.
It all started with talking to someone in line at the airport. What a fun story. God is great isn’t He! Pray for Vanessa. She is on a new venture in her life.

God Bless,

John Hendee

An Amazing Women of God Sharing Her Faith

2010-10-20T10:47:00.001-07:00

I want to tell you a story about an amazing woman named Milusca who lives in one of the barrios where we are working. She is a believer in Jesus our Lord and Savior and is living and obeying Christ’s commandment as it is stated in Mathew 22:37-39; Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Milusca lives with her husband, Johnny and their two children Elicia (13 years old) and Jose (12 years old). Milusca met one of our directors, Andres and Yulianna. She accepted Jesus and was just baptized. The night before her baptism, she came down with a very high fever and she was very sick. She told me that all of a sudden about 3 hours before she had to leave to get baptized her fever went away and all the pain went away from her body. Because of her testimony, her husband and their children also accepted Jesus and were baptized. But Milusca didn’t stop there. She started a house church and wanted to witness to all her neighbors, she believes Jesus when he said “Go and make disciples.” The other day, Jose asked what they were going to eat for lunch. She replied that they were having rice and eggs since they didn’t have anything else. So when we came with the group from Chandler Christian Church to do an activity to outreach to this barrio, Kellie brought left over chicken that we didn’t eat for lunch and gave it to Milusca. Milusca looked at her son and said, “See how God provides.” Because of Milusca’s testimony, she has witnessed to her neighbors and they are becoming followers of Christ. One of Milusca’s neighbors Martha and her family are now saved! Andres and Yulianna tried to talk with Martha but they didn’t have success until Milusca helped opened the door for them to share the gospel and now Martha and her family are being disciples. Martha is a single mother of 4 boys; her 13 year old son is named Lucho. Lucho was born handicapped. He can’t walk and the doctors said that he would never be able to talk. Well, Lucho understands, can answer questions, and even tells his mom when he is hunger, tired or needs to go the bathroom. This is amazing to his mother! Martha had to leave him during the day because she cooks food and then sells it in the market. He’s home alone and he doesn’t have a wheel chair. Sometimes he falls out of bed. His mother is very loving and takes good care of him and is doing the best she can with what she has. They live in a straw and plastic house. One day Milusca asked Lucho why he was so happy. He responded by saying that he had accepted Jesus into his heart! Lucho had been listening to his mother being discipled. I (Danell) had a chance to visit and pray with Milusca and Martha and I was moved by their story. I was talking with Milusca and I wanted to encourage her and tell her that because of her love for Jesus she is witnessing miracles in her life and the lives of her neighbors! If you ask people if they have witnessed a miracle, a lot of them would say no because people are thinking miracles of healing by having people walk again or healing of a disease. I’m not saying that these are miracles that cannot happen! But for me a greater miracle is bringing people to Christ so they can have eternity in heaven! So when you have a chance to share your faith and the hope that Jesus has for others, think how important it is that you can be an instrument that Christ can use to literally save people from going to HELL!

2010-10-03T12:50:00.001-07:00

Greeting to you from Trujillo Peru! I have returned for another visit. As always it will be a busy one including a teaching session.

I taught my class on the Holy Spirit today, Saturday the 2nd of October.
The title of the class is "The Wind in Our Sails. This is a much needed class here in South America. Jimmy Swaggert and Benny Hinn have caused a lot of confusion here (among others). The class was well received.

We had a great turn out even though this weekend is election time here in Peru. On election weekend all places serving or selling alcohol are closed by law. And you will find this interesting, no public meetings or gatherings can be held. The election is on Sunday and is the main focus for the country at all levels.

During the sessions on Saturdays they have started having praise times, and include an offering and the Lord's Supper in as much as this is one of the larger gatherings of the church we are building here in Trujillo.
At the moment of the Lord's Supper a woman by the name of Carmen went forward. She is the janitor at our offices. I assumed she was going to share something about the Lord's Supper. She had no Bible. It is not very common in most of our churches in the States to have a women say something at the Lord's Supper. Carmen became a Christian along with her daughter a couple years ago through our team. As I was trying to figure out what she was doing she started talking about the Lord's Supper and she arrived at a point when she quoted from memory 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

(23) I have already told you what the Lord Jesus did on the night he was betrayed. And it came from the Lord himself. He took some bread in his hands.
(24) Then after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this and remember me."
(25) After the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and said, "This is my blood, and with it God makes his new agreement with you. Drink this and remember me."
(26) The Lord meant that when you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you tell about his death until he comes.

She had memorized that common passage. I was blown away. This was SO important to her, a women, our janitor, a new Christian, that she had memorized it. I was sitting there amazed, trying to recall the last time I had heard anyone in the States, usually a man, quote it from memory.
Maybe I had seen it, maybe not. I don't remember it. I'm sure some leader, somewhere has. I haven't. It amazed me. I thanked God for Carmen. She put me to shame. I'm so proud of these who are coming to Christ here. They are so sincere and committed. I'm so grateful for our supporters who are making this possible, and for our team here working hard to carry out the great commission. Maybe we take too many things for granted.
Carmen, our janitor taught me a number of lessons today. About Jesus, about commitment, about a number of things!
Thank you Jesus! Thank you Carmen!

God Bless!
John Hendee

2010-09-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

I know that is somewhat unusual that you will hear from Mike and me twice in one month but so much good continues to happen in Trujillo! God is truly blessing the work as fruit is being produced. There are so many great stories! We have another example how God is using those we work with, including Mara. If you aren’t familiar with Mara, she came to us from the Mayor’s office, starting with PNHI in 2009. You will find more about her at projectnewhopeinternational.com.
Here is the story she recently shared with us…..
Mara was in a taxi and talking to Liz on the telephone. Liz is a lady that the Villa is helping. She is a victim of domestic abuse. She has a place to stay so she doesn’t stay at the Villa but she does come to the office for therapy. She is also doing the Peace Treaty and Mara is going with her to the district attorney and getting the legal help that she needs.
Liz has a friend who attends the same church. It is one of the Christian churches that have very strange doctrine. The Pastor was telling her friend that she needs to give money or she won't be saved. Well her friend of course was very upset. To make a long story short Mara was giving her advice and said that we would go out to her house and talk with them. Well when Mara got off the phone the taxi driver called her Tia (this word is used in a form of respect) and started asking her questions about Jesus. He said that he was in a gang in Piura and came to Trujillo because he wants to change his life. Well Mara gave him a flier about the Villa that had the directions and invited him to church this Sunday!
We're praying that he comes.
This is just one of the many ways that God is using the people working with us to reach out! We are constantly amazed!

Dios te bendiga,

Mike and Danell Bukta

Angel Doll Ministry

2010-09-19T10:43:00.001-07:00

This month we want to remind you of one of the many ministries that are on-going. It is a something that we have shared with you in the past but feel that it is one we feel is well worth talking about again. This outreach ministry is called Angel Dolls.

This ministry was developed by Carla Hendee. She has a group of women in the United States that are making angel dolls by hand, some make the bodies others are sewing clothes and making hair, etc. That is the first part of the ministry.

The second part is a group of women that is forming in the city of Trujillo that has a passion for prayer. These women will be praying continually for a year for children with physical or mental disabilities or children who suffer from terminal illnesses. They will also be praying for their families. This group of women will receive contacts and organize women to go and visit their child’s house and explain this ministry, give the child an angel doll and of course pray with them. These types of opportunities open the door to build relationships with these families and spread the Word of God.
And here is the really exciting part of what this program is doing. In Matthew 29:19 Jesus told us this:
19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
We will train and disciple these women that will be visiting these families to be ambassadors for Christ. We want everyone we come in contract with to be able to share the Good News!
And then the third part of the Angel Doll program. We will be giving angel dolls to the trainers of the barrios that we are working in, so they will also be ministering to these families. We have wonderful stories about these families; they are all very grateful and appreciative. We would love if you could pray that God will bless this ministry.

Dios te bendiga
Mike & Danell

Praising God for many things in Trujillo!

2010-09-09T13:17:00.001-07:00

This will be short and sweet this week! There is so much going on in Trujillo to be thankful to our Lord and Savior for and I wanted to use the blog this week to pass on just few of things we Praise God for!

The work in Peru is yielding new souls won for Christ! Praise God! And we expect the results to continue with more and more success! Below you will find a few of the numbers that I would like to share with you about the work in Peru.

• We are averaging about 1400 people a week in Oral Bible story groups and house churches. That is between children, youth and adults.

• There are been over 160 baptisms this year so far.

• There are hundreds more attending our community development programs.

• We have a team member teaching a marriage class to the entire staff of the Mayor of Alto Trujillo.

• We are working with parents of 13 kindergartners.

• We are averaging 160+ in our one Saturday a month Leadership Training Program.

This is just the tip of the ice berg. There is so much more as our team continues to work hard to win souls for Christ! We are seeing fruit and we ask that you keep praying for our team. There is so much to be done and our God in Heaven continues to give everyone involved the strength to push on!

In coming weeks look for a more detailed report about all of the good news happening in Trujillo!

For now…..God Bless each of you and please keep our team in your prayers!

All for the Kingdom of God!

John and Carla

Women's Prison Ministry

2010-08-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

In August, we started a ministry in the women’s prison. We are training and disciplining a group of women from the city to go into the women’s prison every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. We wanted to have a different approach from all the other churches that are working in the women’s prison. We want to outreach to those women that wouldn’t come to a church function. Our goal is to grow God’s kingdom to reach those who are spiritually dead and in need of God’s salvation. There are 49 different characters in the Character First Program that we use. We are developing a character program that fits our needs so we can use it with different groups of people. The teaching part of the program isn’t very long, approximately 10 minutes. The majority of the time is spent in smaller groups doing group activities and having conversations to learn and reinforce the character we are working on. We believe that this will be a more effective way of teaching, learning from each other, and getting people involved so they keep coming back. We want to build relationships with the inmates to earn the right to talk to them about Jesus. What we mean by earning the right is that we gain their trust so they will want to listen to the hope that they can receive from Christ. Once we get to know the women, we will ask them individually if they want to have peace with God. If they say yes, we will take them through the Peace Treaty (our evangelism program) and of course continue disciplining them. We decided to have an activity before we start the character teaching. So the month of August, we will be teaching Salsa.
There are 72 women in the prison. We wanted to work with a group of them, so the first day we had 39 women attend our character class. The atmosphere was a little strange at first. Hardly any of the women wanted to dance. I (Danell) was praying “Lord what should we do?” After about 10 minutes, a few more women started dancing. However, the ones that weren’t dancing, were making fun of the women that were dancing. So one of our leaders Silvia talked to them and they said sorry and stopped what they were doing. After the dance lesson, we performed a skit on a modern version of the Good Samaritan, this presents the Third Way. There are 3 philosophies in the world, the robber represents the first philosophy and that is what is yours is mine if I can take it. The person that just walks by and doesn’t help represents the second philosophy which is what is mine is mine if I can maintain it. The Good Samaritan represents the third philosophy and that is what is mine is yours if you need it. So after we performed the skit we had them break up into groups and talk about one of the philosophies and than one person from that group would represent their philosophy to the whole group. From the time we started the skit, the atmosphere in the room had changed. Everyone was attentive and participated in the group activity. The day started off a little shaky, but at the end, we could feel God’s presence! What a God day!

Mike and Danell

WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A PROJECT LIKE PROJECT NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL WORK.

2010-08-24T10:04:00.001-07:00

I was thinking about this again. It is pretty amazing when you think about it.
One can easily forget, or never even think about how many people it takes to launch a project like we have with PNHI.
First and foremost it is done for GOD. And without His help, guidance, encouragement, forgiveness and the power of His Holy Spirit, nothing would happen.

Then it takes our BOARD. They are committed to help carry out the mission and that means investing time, energy and funds. Our board meets every three months. They are people with other jobs, a family, a home church etc. but they make room to help represent all the supporters of the Project to help insure that we are doing things the best possible.

Then it takes the TEAM. That includes the Executive Director, to Mike and Danell on the field and the other workers on the field who are paid team members. That totals about 30 in all. They are working to carry out the task laid out before them and it isn't always easy. But they are committed to Christ and to the task.

Then there are the FAMILIES that help support Team Expansion and Team Expansion in turn directs that support to us three North American families, two on the field.

Then there are those who directly support PNHI and the work in Peru. There are 13 MAJOR CONGREGATIONS doing this. Beyond those congregations are mission teams, pastors, and then the thousands who faithfully give to insure that the work goes on.

Then there are VOLUNTEERS who give of their time to help in ongoing work related to the work here in the U.S.

And there are the HUNDREDS who have gone to Peru on short term trips to help with the work. They spend vacation or work time to go, energy, and money to do so.

THIS PROJECT IS A TEAM PROJECT. IT WOULD NOT AND CAN NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THE THOUSANDS INVOLVED.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE. GOD'S WORK IS ADVANCING. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.,

LOVE IN HIM,

JOHN AND CARLA

AN UPDATE ON THE WOMEN’S VILLAGE

2010-08-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

The development of activity in the Women's Village facility located in the city of Trujillo has been agonizingly slow. After a highly visible and successful grand opening in November 2009, only nine women (with children) have stayed in the facility and taken advantage of the nutritional, physical, psychological, spiritual benefits provided there. But, activity seems to be picking up, probably as a result of Mara and Deysi's seminars (discussed later) and work with the courts, the C.E.M (Emergency Center for Women) and the police. There were two women in the facility for a short time in January, both suffering from physical and psychological abuse (one of them was eventually baptized and returned to an improved relationship with her husband), one teenage girl in February, suffering from sexual abuse, two adult women in April and one in May suffering from physical and psychological abuse and three in July, one a young adult woman suffering from physical and psychological abuse and two teenage sisters suffering from sexual abuse by their father.

The two sisters are an interesting but very sad story. One is 20 and the other is 15. The twenty year old has been required to have sex with her father since she was 10 years old. The 15 year old has been in that predicament since age 12. The mother, who under our expectations should be protecting the girls, sides with the father. But guess what, he is physically abusing the mother too, so what else can we expect? The abused girls stayed in the Villa for ten days and then returned home. The abuser is absent and awaiting trial for his crimes.

We believe that the cause of the slow growth in use of the facilities is threefold: First, the concept is countercultural in a society where a machismo attitude prevails heavily; second, the location in the city limits of Trujillo, in a busy area, keeps women from coming on their own volition because of the "shame" aspect (most of the women are from the barrios and the city is a naturally intimidating place anyhow); and third, the bureaucracy in all the government agencies puts up roadblock after roadblock, from the courts, to the C.E.M., the police, the family courts etcetera.

So, what are we doing about these three problems? For the first problem, Mara and Deysi, the only paid workers on the Villa staff, hold numerous seminars with government agencies, organizations designed to protect women, passing out flyers on the street and even going to soup kitchens now (56 of them available for Daysi's focus). They also meet with groups of women to explain their rights to them to overcome the age old fear.

For the second problem, the Mayor of Trujillo has become involved and promised a half acre of land in one of the barrios to which the project administers its efforts. This has been promised for over a month, awaiting only the approval by the city council. Mara is working with the members of the city council to encourage their favorable vote. While nothing is certain in a political environment, we believe that the mayor's generosity will be approved within the next month or so. Then, the mayor will also provide engineers and planners to help with the design and approval of the building to put on the land. More on all this later as more information becomes available.

For the third problem, only relentless efforts and time will solve this problem along with a close association with the mayor's office, the family courts and other agencies. Personal contact and a good history of results will be a strong factor too. One day, we hope to be the first thing that comes to the minds of the officials who should be sending the women to us and then we will see exponential growth and fantastic results, all to the glory of our God.

Please pray for strength, patience, energy, focus and success for Mara, Deysi and Dani in their ongoing efforts.

A Lesson in Lessons!!!!

2010-08-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

I want to try and explain the Life Winds concept as simply as possible for those of you not familiar with it! I hope this helps explain it. It is one of our major tools as we are working in Peru.

About the time we launched PNHI in Peru we were introduced to Life Winds. They currently work in about 80 countries around the world. They are a mission organization that has learned a very effective way to work in the world. We adopted their training as part of our strategy.

While the concept is so simple, it is really foreign to the way most churches have been doing missions for decades. We are STILL learning to understand their system and apply it. It is hard to break old habits.

In a nutshell, here is how it works.

Our trainers (formerly called Directors) go into a selected neighborhood and seek out the leaders of any groups or organizations there; businesses, community groups, government groups, religious groups, etc. Those leaders are invited to a meeting where we present Life Winds and if they are interested we start twice a week training sessions with them.

This is a relationship building method. It is a slower system (and that is not bad) than what we are used to, but it is very good. Over the coming months we train the community leaders and then month by month over the following couple of years the people from the community, in how to improve their community with local resources rather than waiting for outsiders to come and fix all that needs fixing in their area.

The focus of Life Winds is poor people, marginalized people. The emphasis is showing them how they can solve most of their basic needs and problems by working together. There is an emphasis on health issues from the perspective of PREVENTION rather than CURE. It is much easier and cheaper to prevent a lot of illnesses and health problems that to try and cure them once you have them. But the training touches all areas of life.

Now here is the big deal for most of North Americans. For most of us half or more of what we call mission work or short term mission work is RELIEF work. This precludes helping in emergency relief after an earthquake or other natural or man made disaster.

Here is how we work. I remember the first time I saw the barrios of Trujillo, Peru where we are currently working. I thought, "Man, someone has to help these people." So we started working there; we built community centers, wells, bathrooms, houses, etc. After we started working in many of the poorest areas we discovered that MANY groups have gone to these poor areas to try and help; government groups, universities, non-profit organizations, churches, missions, businesses, etc. But little has changed. We joined the band wagon at the beginning! The real key is we have been learning there is a better way, that doesn't give the immediate emotional fix of 'having done something good' for the people, but having done something that will have longer lasting impact as we train them in doing something really good for themselves.

And here are a couple of the basics we are learning from Life Winds put in my own words.

Relief work, giving hand outs, is an enslaving life style. We must stop doing it. It is often humiliating and demeaning to the people even though they are smiling as we hand out the stuff. We think we are helping but in most cases we are teaching the people that if they wait long enough, maybe someone will come and fix whatever is wrong in their life. It kills creativity, industriousness, cooperation, and self reliance. "The government has to fix it. Or a church will come and do it for us."

We can see that in our own country. And many don't like it but then we go over seas and do the same thing in the name of missions.

Life Winds taught us that what we see as the needs in a poor area and what the people living there see as their needs are often two different things. So rather than starting with our list of what WE think they need, we work with the people there and find out what THEY think are their needs and teach them how to go about realizing them.

It sounds so easy. But it is a culture changing task and that isn't easy. But it is worthwhile and vital! While we are working with these people we are building relationships and gaining opportunities to share the Gospel along the way.

Life Winds provides the training materials needed to do this along with our own tools we use.

Now that we have learned their system we don't go into a barrio promising them anything other than helping them see how to achieve Personal and Community Improvement.

The Personal Transformation for us is obviously a spiritual transformation by coming to Christ. The Community improvement comes as they work together to meet their needs as a community. We train. We don't give money, build schools, church buildings, clinics etc any more.

As Life Winds leaders have shared, it is often hard to work along side a traditional mission that is building one thing after another, or giving out thing after thing; clothes, food, medicine, etc. because the poorer people are so accustomed to standing in their lines and getting a ‘freebie’ that are in truth, imprisoning, rather than freeing them to see how to improve their life and community.

NOW back to Trujillo. After seeing the poverty there and then learning of the number of groups that have offered help and the lack of change most of it has resulted in I see the value of the Life Winds method.

In June of 2010 I thought of a common comparison that helps me even better understand the concept. I think you will get it too.

I was thinking of someone who is a drug addict or alcoholic.

We can look at them and see the damage going on in their life, the unneeded suffering and we see what they should do to end the addiction; it is obvious to us. They lost or are losing their job, their family is fracturing, their health is falling apart, etc.

We want to confront them out of compassion. We want to help them.

Will it do any good, or will it end their addiction etc, if we:

1. Take them to a rehab center?

2. Have them hospitalized?

3. Take them to a psychologist or psychiatrist?

4. Give them a new job?

5. Give them money for food, new clothes etc.?

In most all cases, only under one condition.

And that is that THEY want to stop the addiction and do whatever has to be done to do so. If that is NOT the case, the other actions on our part are just putting a Band-Aid on a serious problem.

In the case of Life Winds and mission work, they have learned that if the PEOPLE don't want to change something, all the well intentioned ideas, feeling, and actions of outsiders won't make any or many lasting changes.

The PEOPLE have to want to change things.

Oh, they will be happy and watch (maybe even join us) as we hand out the food, clothes, offer the clinics, build whatever, but once we go home, things go back to the way they were, unless they sincerely believed it was needed in the first place and are willing to work hard and together to make those changes permanent.

IT NEEDS TO START WITH THEM, NOT US.

Now, once they identify what they want we can help them see how to achieve it. That is what Life Winds trains our trainers in how to do.

It is not easy, but it can become very rewarding for the people! It can be freeing, uplifting, challenging and fulfilling. It takes longer and the measurable results are different than what we often times look to measure as North Americans.

As we work with them in all of this we become their friends, and offer them really GOOD NEWS that is truly life transforming.

God Bless each of you!

John and Carla Hendee

Servan Leader Training going strong in Perú!

2010-07-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am in the Lima airport at my post in Starbucks. I am waiting several hours before my flight home. I am reflecting on another Servant Leadership Training event that surpassed my expectations! I presented the training entitled, "Leadership Lesson From Jesus." I have done a lot of leadership things over the years, but this was a little different presentation that I have ever made. I wanted to keep it as basic as possible for leaders who are young in the Lord and experiencing leadership for the first time in the PNHI project.

In the first chapter I wanted to establish what leadership was from the perspective of Jesus. The one word that describes leadership as exemplified by Jesus is INFLUENCE. I talked about the influence of Jesus during His life and in history - and how He has called us to influence. Three words that describe our impact on any environment we are in: SALT, LIGHT, YEAST.

In the second chapter I wanted to unwrap the paradox of SERVANT LEADERSHIP and Mark 10:35-45. I illustrated that Jesus is the ultimate servant leader, and then gave them a project to do on their own time. Project: read the Gospel of Matthew and when Jesus is doing something write in the margin of your Bible how he is functioning - as a servant, as a leader, or both. Use the following words to describe how he is functioning. For example: in Matthew 4:1-11: as servant - submission; as leader - example; in Matthew 4:23, 24: as servant - serving/healing people; as leader - proactive.

I spent the rest of the time outlining Leadership Lessons From Jesus:

1. He Loved People To Himself
2. He Cast a New Vision
3. He Empowered Others To Lead [Matthew 10; Acts 6:1-7]
4. He Developed a Cohesive Team
5. He Was Able To Develop a Measurable Plan With Measurable Goals [Acts 1:8]
6. He Was Able To Make Difficult Decisions [Buck stops here]
7. He Created a New Kind of Community - a Christ-like Culture
8. He Was Able To Follow-through and Evaluate

I conclude with this true illustration from a few years ago when hurricane Isabella was threatening Washington DC. The guard detail at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was given permission to stand down during the hurricane if needed, even though the tomb had never been left unguarded in the past. The officer in charge said, "I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING SIR." And no one stood down even though they were leaning into the wind the entire time. I used this as a metaphor for persevering in leadership. I asked them to lean into the wind when the tough times come - and never stand down.

One hundred and fifty adults attended [190 with children]. What is happening here is that these new believers, leaders, are seeing the Servant Training as an opportunity to have community together with Christ-followers from other barrios. It provides a unique fellowship for them.

Next month John teaches on "Squaring Everything With The Word, and in September Roger Storms is bringing someone from his congregation to teach on "How To Defend Your Faith," a teaching on Apologetics. I would like to attend that one!

Well, Servant Leadership Training has met a need and has been a good thing. Thank you for your support of PNHI.

Tim Coop

The Women's Village is making a difference in Perú.

2010-07-12T14:04:00.001-07:00

This month we would like to share the story of a pair of your girls that are benefiting from the help many women in Perú could receive through the women’s village. We share the story of Monica and her 15 year old sister. Their story is not uncommon in Peruvian culture. Monica is 20 years old and is a native of Cascas, she arrived with her 15 year old sister and two prosecutors to the Women’s Village. They both have been sexually abused by their father.
The problems began between her parents because of economic problems. They argued constantly and her father physically and psychologically abused her mother, previously. Monica grew up witnessing this abusive. She was also punished physically by her father because she often broke things accidentally. At 6 years old she started school, her parents were attacking each other.
At age 10, her parents, siblings and Monica began working on weekends recycling. It is from this age that her father began sexually abusing her. At first he propositioned her to have sex with him, she thought it was normal so she didn’t struggle because it hurt to try. He said he would not harm her, so she would just lie in bed and let her father have sex with her against her will. He repeated this many times for 10 years. He would often wait until everyone was sleeping or if nobody was home.
At age 16 she finished studying at the school and the abuse continued. At age 17 she began studying Computer Science and Information, in the third cycle of studies, she was still being abused so she decided to leave home and go to a friend’s house. She was only gone for three days when her dad found out where she was and sent for her saying that her mother was sick. She went back with him because he said he wouldn’t harm her friends. When she went back to her house she told her mom about the abuse. However, her mom was convinced that she asked her dad to have sex. Years passed and the abuse continued until she learned that her sister also was being abused by her father. Her relationship with her father was even tenser, because he forbid her to have any friends and when he saw her with someone he punished her. Her friend confronted her and said that her father’s reaction is not normal. She confessed to her friend about the abuse and she advised her to report it. Monica went to her sister and they both decided to report the abuse to the authorities. Since her computer class was over she had no reason to leave the house so her sister went to the police. Since she is a minor they held her at the police station. Well her sister didn’t come home from school so Monica said that she would go look for her and bring her home. She found her at the police station.
Since the mother blames both of the girls for the abuse the state attorneys brought them to the Women’s Village because they have nowhere else to go.
The attorneys have expressed their appreciation for the Women’s Village and how much they think it is needed.
The father is now in jail and has admitted to the abuse. However, the mother is still blaming her daughters. The attorneys say that it might be up to 4 months because of the process that needs to be done. Meanwhile both of the girls are getting help at the women’s village.

Dios de bendiga,

Mike and Danell

Keeping Him First!

2010-07-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings to each of you! And I greet you from the growing Body of Christ in Trujillo, Peru!
I have just returned from Trujillo again and want to share with you that the Lords work continues and souls are being won for Christ! Praise God!

However, we also need to be mindful that with successes come roadblocks and times of being discouraged. With that my blog to you this month focuses on what we all need to remember:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9,10

How often are we tempted to give up, throw the towel in?
For most of us there are regular challenges to give up. We ALL become weary, tired, challenged as we try and do the right thing; to love, to give, to serve. We become weary when we try and do it all on our own strength...when we take our eyes off the Lord and what He has done for us, and what He has planned for us.

What wearies you?
Financial stress?
Temptation to sexual sins?
Having to work or live with unpleasant people?
Temptation to not keep your commitments?
Others not fulfilling their commitments or responsibilities?
Work? hours, insecurity of the future, nasty boss, etc.
Being tired from having so many responsibilities; work, family, church, club, sports, finances, taxes, keep the cars running, challenges with your mate or kids, taking care of others dependent on you?
The list could go on and on.

BUT the call is to not let ourselves become weary in doing good. REJECT the evil, the cop out, the not doing what is RIGHT. We will reap a harvest IF we don't give up.

This all certainly applies to what we are doing in Peru and what all of us in the States are doing/living here for Him.
The enemy is at work all around us. God is depending on us. He needs us to trust in Him and do His work, tired or not. We will tire faster if we don't keep HIM first. Keep Him first, are you doing that? It is the make or break factor.

God Bless!

John & Carla Hendee

Capturing the Vision in Trujillo

2010-06-16T06:02:00.001-07:00

Hello! My name is Don Lawrence. I am the pastor at Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills and a member of board of PNHI. On Saturday, June 5, I had the privilege of leading the most recent leadership seminar for our team in Trujillo.

A few things stand out in my mind from this trip. Three years ago when I led my first seminar there, we had approximately 40 people in attendance. The next couple of seminars that I led we had 50-60 in attendance. Last Saturday there were more than 160 in attendance! The leadership base has grown significantly this past year. These leaders have captured the vision of leading others to Christ. Already this year they have had 120 baptisms! The Lord God is bringing fruit to their labors!

While there, I also had the opportunity of participating in a barrio census. 360 volunteers canvassed several barrios filling out surveys from interviews conducted at several thousand homes. It was a monumental undertaking and will give our team greater insight into the lives of those to whom we hope to minister. As you might imagine, this huge project took much planning, coordinating and organizing. This undertaking reveals some special things about our leadership team in Trujillo.

First of all: They think big! This was no small undertaking. It was huge! And they did it!

Second: Such an undertaking takes a lot of participation from everyone involved. The sense of camaraderie and cohesiveness is stronger than I have witnessed there since we started this work in Trujillo.

Third: South American individuals continue to grow and mature in their leadership role. One example is a key couple, Jaime and Patty and their daughter Satya. Jaime and Patty were in charge of the entire census. It was just one of their many responsibilities. They are doing an outstanding job!

Fourth: This team isn’t afraid of hard work. The day before the canvas the three page survey needed to be stapled together. Thousands and thousands of them! I sat amongst an energetic group who correlated, stapled, stacked and counted all the survey sheets. From the directors (Mike and Danell Bukta, and their daughters Skylar and Nicole) to the newest team member, the room was filled with dedicated workers. These same individuals would be among the many who conducted the census the following day. This is just one example of the sense of unity and cooperation that is pervasive among our hard working team.

Space limitations preclude me from going on and on about the leadership of Mike and Danell or the helpful assistance of Tony and Kellie or the song leading at the seminar or the computer work for the power point presentation or the logistical planning for the seminar…….the end result is that our presence in Trujillo is beginning to impact a town with the love and hope of Jesus Christ!

Enthusiastically,

Don Lawrence

Religion Versus Personal Faith

2010-06-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

This month we want to share an experience that we had that should be a reminder to us all to strive to know our Lord better and better each day.

Our neighbor was in the hospital last month with cancer. Her family invited all the neighbors to go to a prayer meeting that was being held in our condominum. So we went not knowing what to expect, because our cultures are so different when it comes to religious matters. They had two women that were in charge of the meeting. They started off praying to Jesus for about 5 minutes, which pleasantly surprised us, but than they started focusing their prays to virgin Mary. For the next hour and a half they chanted the rosary. We felt like we were in a cult, because they were just going through the motions with glazed looks in their eyes. For the first time we experienced how religious people act.

Over the years many people confess to us that they are Christians, even when they practice a different religion, for example, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Bahi, to name a few. We try and explain that if you take Jesus out of who He is, you're not a Christian. But of course many people do not see it that way. We’re sure the confusion about Christiany is all over the World. We’ve learned that you first need to ask someone what is their definition of a Christian is before you answer them!

We want to leave you with the following verse from John 5:38-40; “nor does his Word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one He sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

We encourage you to get to know Jesus personally!

Dios te Bendiga,
Mike and Danell

A word from John Hendee

2010-06-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

My how the months pass! It is my turn to address each of you again! Mike and Danell continue to be a real blessing to PHNI and the people in Peru. They are doing a wonderful job!

I would like to bring you up to speed on a couple of the changes we are making in the form of name changes. We think that these will help make job descriptions and expectations more clear to those both in Peru and those in the United States.

Since the beginning of our work in Peru we have called our Peruvain missionary families, "Directors". We have changed that. They are now called Church Planting Trainers. That better describes what they are there to do. They aren't there to "Direct" people, but to reach and train them to do the work of the ministry, to reach others, and to plant house churches. We keep emphasizing that now and we are seeing the fruit from it too. We will succeed in what we are there for IF our team trains people in what they need in order to make this a movement, an expanding and reproducing of disciples who are planting churches.

The other name change is Big Sisters. That is what we have called those congregations who are making monthly financial commitments to PNHI and the work in Peru. We are now going to be calling them PNHI Partners. That is what they are. They are Partners with us in carrying out the mission first in Peru, and Lord willing beyond in the future.

We are developing a style that we trust will be usable in many places in the world. We couldn't do it without our Partners. For those who don't know, we have 14 PNHI Partners and they give from $1000 to $3000 a month to PNHI. 95% of that goes straight to the field and is what supports our whole team there.

They truly are Partners, supporting the Church Planting Trainers.

God bless you all.
Love in Him

John and Carla

Women's Village Fundraising

2010-05-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Amber Riddell. For those of you who may not know, I am John Hendee’s daughter and I am involved in fundraising efforts for the Women’s Village in Trujillo.
I wanted to get everyone current on what is happening here in the United State’s for the Women’s Village. A presentation has been written up, the brochures are made, the DVD is nearing completion, and the website will be up and running by July. Thanks to different brain storming sessions over the last couple of years with different people, we have some great fundraising ideas, and are always open for more.
Another area I am working in is finding volunteers to be Advocates for the Women’s Village. We are asking that someone seeking to be an advocate is committed and compassionate about the Village, that they will work on finding supporters for the village through their every day contacts, and through setting up one presentation a month.
The presentations are fundraisers, but do not need a huge amount of time to organize. Advocates will receive a presentation guideline, the presentation, a DVD with a video for the Women’s village and PNHI, brochures and interest cards. Presentations can be made to neighborhood groups, bible study groups, mission’s boards, women’s groups, MOPS, and any group of friends that would be interested in these women who need our help. These 45 minute presentations can be set up as a “Tea for Trujillo”. It will be a casual gathering of people to chat, have refreshments and hear about the cause!
At present we are asking for help with daily operation costs knowing that in the future we will be in need of larger village. One great way for donating will be available through the website once it is up and running. We will be asking people if they would like to be a supporter of the village by being a 444 Friend. This means that they can sign up on the website to make monthly donations of $4.44 to the village, 4 compassion, 4 protection, 4 hope.
A mom’s bible study group at Eastlake Church in Chula Vista, CA is having our first big garage sale/bake sale to benefit the Women’s Village. All items being sold were totally donated, and they will have additional donation buckets set out. They have even made a Facebook page link for the sale and big banners. They will have brochures set out for the public to take about the Village. They felt called to do this after a presentation was given to their group.
We need Advocates to give these presentations and “Teas”, so groups and individuals feel touched and called to help these women. If you are interested in finding out how you could help, please contact me at amberorin@hotmail.com.
Remember “The Cause”: Building Women’s Villages that offer hope for women in crisis worldwide, starting in Trujillo, Peru.

Blessings, Amber Riddell

Reaching a city for Jesus!

2010-05-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

I hope you sensed my excitement last month as I described to you the experience I had just been involved with. It was truly uplifting and so memorable. As I look back at that event, one of my fondest memories was watching the PNHI Trainers playing soccer in the park. They set aside a morning each month to play together. What a significant time of bonding and teamwork. They had the best time. The sense of camaraderie was so apparent. They enjoyed each other, they laughed, and there were moments of competitive male bluster! Does every Peruvian guy play soccer - and play it well?

I was meeting several of these guys for the first time. Mike would tell me about each one and the effective work he and his wife were already doing in the barrio. All of them were presenting Peace Treaties and baptizing people on a regular basis. In the month of March there were 36 baptisms - and many of them done by the new Trainers.

Right now we have the most Christ-like sense of community we have ever enjoyed at PNHI. It has everything to do with Mike and Danell and the credibility they have established with the team. Everyone is on the same page and understands the mission - to raise up a city of house churches started by humble leaders who in turn raise up other leaders by telling Bible stories and teaching their friends about Jesus.

What we are experiencing in Trujillo is a model I am anxious to share with church missions groups everywhere. John and I are working on approaches to churches, primarily in the West, that will give us open doors to tell the PNHI story, and the even larger story, that it is a new day in cross-cultural missions, and unless we expand our vision and become more holistic in our methods we will be spinning our wheels, accomplishing little to disciple the nations.

We have been working with some truly revolutionary tools, and we are honing them to suit our purposes and our particular effort so that what we are doing becomes truly our own. And the biggest joy is to see Latinos like Jaime and Patty, our Master Trainers who oversee the other Trainers, become so effective in using the tools that they are being looked to by others in Trujillo and beyond as equippers and facilitators of these new and effective methods of reaching communities.

This is why I continue to say that in all my years of ministry, I have not seen a more powerful approach to reaching a city for Jesus. And we have just gotten started.

By the way, John and I would count it a privilege to go anywhere to talk to people about PNHI.

Tim

God’s church multiplying in Trujillo!

2010-05-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

Mike and I continue to see real progress when it comes to the work in the barrios. Six of the barrios that we have been working in for the past four years have formed a council. Their function is to continue the vision of Project New Hope, multiplying God’s church in their community. Patty Escobar is in charge of these councils and every two months three council members from each barrio meet together. The purpose is to continue training the leaders in all the tools that Project New Hope uses so they can continue God’s work in these barrios. Of the many positives, the people taking part in the councils are able to see they are not alone. It really lifts everyone up. It’s not just their barrio, and that we all are working together for one purpose and that is to grow the kingdom of God. They share stories, build each other up, get ideas from each other, and most importantly they are becoming a family - Christ’s family. In April, I(Danell) went with Patty to one of these council meetings. Each barrio has between 5-10 council members. They select three of these members to represent their barrio and each barrio gets a turn to host one of these meetings. These meetings start about 9 a.m. and get over about 2 p.m. The barrio that hosts the meeting also buys and prepares all the food for the day. It’s very exciting to witness people changing and becoming leaders and watching God’s church multiplying in Trujillo!

God Bless!

Mike and Danell

Exit Strategy or Expansion Plan?

2010-05-04T09:56:00.001-07:00

WHAT'S YOUR EXIT STRATEGY IN PERU?

I've been asked that a few times and I thought now would be a good time to talk about it.

I'm choosing another word to describe what our future is in Peru, and Lord willing, beyond to other countries. I would have to say we don't have an EXIT strategy but we have an EXPANSION plan.

Most of you who would be reading this know about the team challenges we had last year and that we dealt with them. We have rebuilt a good part of our team there and we are moving onward.

If you had asked me 9 months ago where we would be in May of 2010 I don't think I would have been as honestly positive as I am now. In 2009 we were fixing problems. In 2010 we are back on track to realizing our mission as PNHI.

And being back on track we are laying the ground work for EXPANSION to at least 1 and hopefully 2 more cities at the beginning of 2012. We will leave a core team in Trujillo to supervise what is going on there and we will send, Lord willing, 2/3 of our current team to the other locations which will be within 2 hours by car from Trujillo.

We have solidified our team. Our mission is clearer than ever; leading a national team in church planting using Life Winds, Peace Treaties, Oral Bible story telling, and Discipleship. We are working with other missions who are committed to backing us in what we are doing.

We will be announcing later this year where we hope to go as we seek to impact Trujillo and other places in Peru.

God bless
John and Carla

Villa de la Mujer

2010-04-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

For some time now we have been talking about our plans for the Women’s Village in Trujillo. I am happy to tell you that the Women’s Village (Villa de la Mujer) plans in Trujillo are beginning to gather steam. The Villa was opened in a public ceremony in October 2009 and accommodations for sixteen women were developed in the same building in Trujillo where the administrative offices for the project are located. The meeting was well attended by local dignitaries as well as some visiting PNHI board members and their spouses. It appeared at that time that we would be overwhelmed with women with needs we could help with but, unfortunately, it turned out that government regulations were going to be our foe and not our friend. Consequently, there have been only four women treated to date, although Mara has gained much visibility for the project and has the attention of civic and court leaders to remove some of the hurdles. We expect significant growth in our abilities to help to come in the near future.

The Villa has a paid staff of two women, Mara, the leader of the project, is the former special assistant to Mayor Acuna of Trujillo and Daysi, an educated and trained psychologist. There are also about one hundred volunteers working with Mara and Daysi.

Much of the effort being carried out by the staff and volunteers is to educate the local population in two areas. First, they are reaching out to the women in Trujillo who may be victims of physical and/or sexual abuse (the two “different” types are usually linked and accompany one another). The other effort is to reach out and educate the public officials about the scope and severity of the problem and to inform them as to how they can assist in referrals and in helping in the daily performance of their occupation. Mara recently spent considerable time working with a gathering of the National Police, for instance.

Efforts are underway in both Trujillo (led by Mara) and the US (led by Amber Riddell) to begin raising funds to support ongoing costs of operation, which are approximately $3,000 per month for salaries, rent, promotional materials, etc. It is estimated that a “customer” will cost approximately $40-$50 per month for sustenance and help.

We are currently focusing on battered women, getting them to a safe refuge away from the batterer (generally a family member), medical attention, helping to file reports with the police (there is a strong aversion to this by the victims, unfortunately), psychological help and job training. Of course, they are certainly going to hear about the love and peace of Christ along their journey! In fact, the first woman to visit us has accepted the Lord and been immersed in His name. Praise the Lord! In the future, as the Villa develops, we will expand into other areas, such as un-wed mothers, drug and alcohol addiction, elderly and infirm, perhaps prostitution and birthing clinics. But first we must get the startup going well. It should also be noted that receiving and treating different types of needs for the women of Trujillo will raise the need for expanded and especially separate facilities. But, more on that later as progress is made and plans develop.

This is a slowly evolving project. We are currently developing a three year plan to outline facilities needed, staffing levels, “target” groups of women, budgets and other aspects. Very soon there will be a web site with more information about the Villa in particular with an on-line opportunity to make small or major contributions to help with the daily operations and eventually with building funds.

God Bless!
Mack

Servant Leader Training in Perú Update

2010-04-20T09:14:00.001-07:00

I know that Mike has already given you a brief update on our seminars. He kind of beat me to the punch, but there is much more to add and from my perspective. I could hardly contain my excitement after teaching that I was eager to get the pen to paper. So as you take a look at this week’s blog, read it as if it were a diary entry. I hope this conveys the excitement that we all feel about the work going on Trujillo!

Sunday April 11th
I am sitting in the airport in Lima, Peru, on my way home from the most fulfilling experience. I had the privilege of teaching our second Servant Leadership Training on Saturday, April 10th. We considered the first seminar, with John Hendee, a great success, with 150 attending.

On Saturday we had 176 adults, over 200 counting children. I was so anxious for the training and so prayed up. Would the material translate? Would I have a good translator? Would I be able to be practical and interesting for four hours? Would people listen, or would they go to sleep? I was overwhelmed. My translator, Dinko, a pastor in Trujillo, was one of the best I have every work with. I hardly knew he was there. He matched my paths heartbeat for heartbeat, gesture for gesture. The people were attentive and engaged. I was getting feedback during breaks that let me know that the Spirit was using the training to speak to the key leaders of PNHI. I had prayer over all of our Trainers the day before as I watched them play soccer together, and asked God to help me focus on them in my teaching. Just hours ago, before I got on the plane to fly home, I sat with one of our key barrio Trainers and he was able to open up about the challenges of leadership and I was able to do some personal counseling based on the training on Saturday. Saturday evening and Sunday at church I was getting feedback that just filled me up.

The training, “The Inner Formation of a Servant Leader” describes the process and teaching I have used over the years to disciple young believers. Almost every believer in the project is a baby believer, even some of our leaders, so the subject spoke to a very real need.

The Servant Leadership Training is meeting a need and we already consider it an unqualified success. My thanks to Mike and Danielle, to Elena the Project secretary, and all of the barrio Trainers who made the training work. My special thanks to Kellie Castaneda, our Short-Term Group Coordinator and coordinator of the Servant Leadership Training for taking my materials, getting them translating and putting them in an attractive, inviting form, and for developing a power point in Spanish from those materials. She is my hero.

Our leadership in Trujillo is looking forward to the next Training in May with John teaching on the subject, “How To Make Sense Out Of The Bible.” What a great subject for John. I wish I could be there for the session!

Tim Coop

Leader Training Semainar #2

2010-04-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, April 10th, Pastor Tim Coop came to Trujillo to teach our 2nd seminar in our series of Bridge Training. Tim is a board member for Project New Hope International. Once a month we have a Pastor/board member give a seminar on certain topics to help train and equip our leaders and future leaders of Project New Hope. The first seminar was taught by John Hendee and we were pleasantly surprised that we had 150 people attend. We thought if we have more next month the people are interested in these seminars. Well we’re happy to report that we had about 180 people attend Tim’s teaching! One of the universities in Trujillo was gracious enough to lend us one of their auditoriums. After the event we were talking to one of their staff members and he said it was a pleasure serving you. He also said that most churches that use the facility leave it in a mess. He told us that he really enjoyed the seminar and would look forward to seeing us again; he added that he would communicate this to his boss.
We were proud to hear this because it shows the integrity and character of our team and the people who we are training and disciplining to become ambassadors for Christ. We had so many people come up to use after Tim’s teaching and say they want more! We want to thank John, Tim and all the future Pastors who will be coming to Trujillo to teach these seminars. We really believe this is a blessing and benefit that complements all the training that we are doing to make disciples!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mathew 28:18-20
In next week’s blog, Tim Coop will share more about the seminar!

God Bless!

Mike and Danell

I’M PSYCHED!!!!

2010-04-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I’M PSYCHED!!!!

I was waiting for a program to come on TV. Whatever had been on had my half hearted attention. They were telling the story of a man who had lost his job and the emotional trauma it had caused him. He was going to a counselor trying to deal with it all. Being unemployed and not being able to find a new job left him with a lot of free time on his hands. One day he went to the kitchen and decided to make some pickles like his grandmother or mother did when he was a kid. Doing so got his mind off his problems.

He kept making pickles. He shared some with family and friends. They went wild over them and asked for more. His kitchen operation grew and grew until he was jarring pickles and selling them to stores and restaurants. It grew into a significant business and he was making more money than at his old job. At one point in the interview with him he made a comment that just blew me away. He enthusiastically said, “I wake up every morning psyched!” About PICKLES and his work! It was like a slap in the face to me.

It was a wake up call. It put me to shame.

I thought “How many mornings do I wake up feeling so-so, well it is another day, aahhh I have so many things to do today, or thinking of the not so pleasant things I might have to deal with. How many days do I wake up psyched?”

I am a child of a King. I have the privilege to work on a project that is changing lives. We are helping poor people learn how to take control of their life and improve their reality. We are helping rich people learn how to think about something other than themselves. We are helping people discover how to be a peace with God and with each other. God is daily involved in our lives to help us grow and mature and become a complete person. We have a great team with others who support us and encourage us.

We have a great MISSION. And the man wakes up ‘psyched’ every day about pickles.

I am resolved to be more grateful for all I’m blessed with. I am resolved to focus more on all the blessings I have. I am resolved to give thanks to God for everything, knowing he will even help me through the challenging things in life (He always has). I am resolved to trust God and be grateful. We are working for the Creator! We are cared for and commissioned by our Creator. How can we be anything less than PSYCHED every day, even when we encounter the crisis and problems of life. I remember a saying I’ve shared with you in the past that someone passed on to me long ago. “If God brought you to it, He’ll get you through it.” That is a PSYCHED person’s confident assertion that even when we face hard times, God is with us, cares for us, and will help us get through any and all problems.

So, here is to waking up Psyched every morning.

God bless

John

Check out the new Project New Hope Video!

2010-03-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

Wow time fly's when you are having fun. Working behind the scenes of the Project I get to see some amazing accomplishments as told in many of the blog's over the last few months. It's been a while since my last blog, so I have decided to share a few of the items that I have been completing for the project and have recently been released.

If you click on the corresponding link it will open the document or the video.

First is our new project brochure:

New Project Brochure

Second project was our new Women's Village brochure:

New Women's Brochure

Finally just completed a few weeks ago, our new Project Video:

My next project is finishing a new Women's Village video, which should be ready sometime in mid-April. It will be used in sharing the incredible vision of the Women's Village team.

God Bless you all!

Eric Malave

Servant Leader Training in Perú

2010-03-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 6th. John Hendee launched the new Servant Leader Training for the church leaders in the barrio and city churches. One hundred and fifty attended - more than expected! They were served lunch and John taught for several hours on the subject of Growth and God’s Discipline for John 15, Jesus’ parable of the vine and the branches. Mike thought it was a great beginning, and John felt like it went well.

Next month, on April 10, I will be teaching on the Inner Formation of the Servant Leader. Paul’s desire for the early disciples is that Christ be formed in them. He used the word transformed - changed from the inside-out - to describe the supernatural work of God in our inner person. How is Christ formed in us?

By Reflecting His Heart - Learning to love God through prayer and praise and love our neighbor through developing a big heart By Reflecting His Mind - Learning to absorb the Word and speak with His authority.

By Reflecting His Spirit - Learning to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

By Reflecting His Hands and Feet - Learning to use our gifts to dispense Jesus' grace.

By Reflecting His Body - Learning to love and serve the church, Christ's body, to function as a loving and healthy community, as we disciple the nations.

This teaching is intended to be a discipleship 101 type instruction with the hope that it is practical and transferable. Our hope is that Peruvian believers can take the training and share it with others easily.

So I am anxious to experience my first Servant Leader Training. Thank you for remembering me between now and then. I will write about it next month.

His Servant,

Tim Coop

Changing lives all over Trujillo

2010-03-18T16:27:00.001-07:00

Greetings from Trujillo. We continue to praise God for the blessings he gives us and the ability he gives us to do his work here in Peru. It is amazing to think that it was four years ago we started this journey to share God’s love with the people of Peru!
We are starting to see fruit from the work that we started. We have been training the leaders in the barrios on how to evangelize through the Peace Treaty. Last month the leaders that live in one of our barrios, Alto Trujillo 4A, had 5 baptisms that were a result of their hard work of evangelizing. One of our goals is to empower people in how to share their faith.
This weekend we had something incredible happen, for the first time we had 23 baptisms! We are praying that this will be an every weekend thing. With the hard work of our team we believe this will become a reality! One of the baptisms that we had the privileged of doing is one of our Hope 4 Kids supervisors. We have been praying and waiting for this the entire four years! We even had a certificate made up for her 4 years ago. It is awesome being a part of what God is doing here in Trujillo. We are witnessing peoples’ lives changing and these people are being trained to be ambassador for Jesus.
We praise God for the changing of lives and hearts and we give thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Dios Bendiga!

Mike and Dani

2010-03-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

It certainly has been busy since the start of the New Year. Let me get you caught up on what has been happening. On February 5th we held our Big Sister meeting in Chandler, Arizona. Big Sisters are congregations which are the major supporters of Project New Hope International and our work in Peru. Each of them gives from $1000 to $3000 a month to support our team in Peru. 95% of their giving goes to the field.

They have been with us since the start. They have gone through the victories and the difficult times with us. Most all of them send teams to Peru to work in the barrios and in the city. They face their own challenges in their local works too, but those haven't stopped them from their commitments with us in Peru.

They came from Arizona, California, Washington, Idaho, and New Mexico.

We really appreciate the partnership we have with these churches/people. They give, they travel, they serve and they contribute to a great work that is being developed in Peru.

Last year was a tough year. You know all about that. BUT this year is going to be a great year. We are back on track. We have rebuilt our team. We have not given up. We have not thrown the towel in.

Now is not the time to look back , but to look forward. There is a job to be done. There is a team in Perú and the U.S. to get it done. We will keep giving, serving, and doing whatever till it is done.

Thanks to all who made a special effort to join us at the meeting. It was a great day!

God bless you all!
In Him
John

All you ever wanted to know about cows!

2010-02-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it through the Christmas season when we last wrote about the farm in Viru, Peru. Since that time, we have had 19 births, 10 of which were future milk producers. Our herd now stands at 153 total cows, 83 of which are producing milk for sale to our customer, Gloria Dairy in Trujillo. Generally, a dairy herd that is growing will have about 50% producers, while the rest are dry between births or in the period before they give birth to their first calf and therefore begin their “career” as a milker.

There is some interesting data about the life of a cow, which will also explain some of the needs for working capital for a growing dairy. After a female calf is born, it does nothing but hang around our farm and eat for the first sixteen months (whereas her male counterpart goes off to live and grow somewhere else). Then, at sixteen months, she is impregnated and delivers her first calf after a nine month gestation period. Therefore, her first productivity begins at twenty-five months and she begins “earning her keep.” She then produces milk for approximately ten months. But, in the meantime, three months after delivering her first little “eater,” she is impregnated again and thus will have another calf about twelve months after her first. This goes on for about seven pregnancies and then she will be at a point where she costs more to keep than she produces, and off she goes to retired milker-land. But after the first twenty-five months, she will be producing milk ten of every twelve months.

Our dairy buildings and equipment and the first lot of cows (48 in total) in Viru was provided by a very generous family foundation about two years ago. Subsequent to that, several churches and organizations have provided another 38 pregnant cows. Those gifts, coupled with births of female calves bring us to where we are today.

We have had few surprises but one which stands out is how much working capital it takes to develop a dairy from inception to maturity. We expect that we will have sufficient land to farm a herd of 420 cows. But, to get to that point, it takes a lot of food and it will take more working capital for additional buildings and equipment, probably in early 2012. In the meantime we GREATLY APPRECIATE any financial assistance we can get from the outside to operate the dairy. Our website has a facility for making an on-line donation for the dairy operations as well as contributions for purchasing a pregnant cow. But, let me tell you a little secret (a secret on an Internet site??), we are much more interested in help in the operations area and smaller donations are available there (it takes $2,500+ to purchase a pregnant cow and care for her until she becomes a producer). So, as you rush to the donation page, please be assured that we appreciate everything you can do and especially in the area of dairy operations.

Next time, I hope to have some information about new businesses with new partners on the farm. We have a lot of space and facilities and we are constantly looking for new ventures.

Some simple souls.......

2010-02-16T09:39:00.000-08:00

Someday some simple soul will pick up the Bible, read it, believe it, and put the rest of us to shame!” I read that quote by Leonard Ravenhill, an English preacher, author and revivalist in the 60’s and 70’s, years ago. I have applied it to very few people over the years. At our Big Sisters meeting on February 5th I applied that quote to our General Manager in Trujillo, Mike Bukta. I was also thinking about his wife Danell as well.

When I first met Mike and Danell I saw their heart for Peru and their desire to learn the language. John had told me Mike was a hockey player, and I was not disappointed. He had the look! I soon learned that he was also a Teddy Bear!

When John asked the board to approve Mike as the General Manager of the mission, I wrote John that I liked Mike but did not know that much about his leadership skills. John assured us that he saw something in Mike that caused him to believe that Mike would be effective in the new role.

John surely saw something that is sometimes hard to describe. Mike is street smart and is able to size-up people and situations. It is hard to pull something over on him. He has the uncanny ability to call a situation like he sees it, often sighting Scripture or pointing to Jesus as his authority. He just calls it straight forward, fair, without embellishment. He calls others to accountability. Sometimes it is disarming, but, my, is it refreshing! And because of that the people who work with him trust him, because he is also able to demonstrate and dispense genuine care and grace. These are the qualities that have served him well these past few months. I can’t say enough about how he has gotten PNHI on track - and we are seeing immediate results.

When John talks about Danell, he talks about her evangelistic heart. She leads people to Jesus on a weekly basis and teaches others how to do it and to have a passion to do it. She is heart and soul involved in the mission, meeting with people, training, teaching, out in the barrios. I love her enthusiasm and her heart.

And then there is Skylar and Nicole, the Bukta girls. God bless them for their heart for the work. Nicole is the youngest and so infectious. Last time I was there I had a word to describe her - “impetuous!” Of course she wanted to know what that meant. I asked her to look it up. Skylar wanted to know what my word was for her. “Sassy” is the word - not in the negative way, but in a positive, spunky way. They are so flexible and so involved. I love them.

The Bukta family, humble, everyday, and uncomplicated, are leading in God’s work in Trujillo, and causing the rest of us to rejoice in their effectiveness. I can hardly wait to get back there to spend time with them. Every time you think of PNHI and Trujillo pray for them - that God would give them health and joy in their journey.

Meet Chuck Norris

2010-02-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

In past months it has been a real pleasure to share with you the reasons why we are so passionate about what is going on in Trujillo. This month is no exception.

I would like to introduce you to a young man named Chuck Norris, he is 23 years old and has been part of our project from the beginning about 4 years ago. He has four sisters and 3 brothers. Six of his siblings live with him and his parents, so as you can imagine they have a full house! He started helping out the directors in his barrio, which is Alto Trujillo 3B. He went though the Peace Treaty (which is our evangelistic tool) and wanted to be a disciple of Christ. He became the youth leader and when the opportunity arrived he qualified for our Hope 4 Kids scholarship program. We were encouraged by Chuck and his leadership skills. Even though he was working and going to school he still found time to build up the youth program in his barrio. He started volunteering more of his time helping out one of our directors that was training different youth leaders in 15 other barrios. We’ve seen such a huge change in this young man that he now works part time with Project New Hope, he is in charge of training youth leaders. He has been going to an institute to finish his education in computers; he has a year and a half left. He’s come a long way from where he was but he is still reminded at times. His younger sister got pregnant by her boyfriend (who is a gang member) he wanted her to abort the baby and when she didn’t agree to it he punched her in the stomach. Chuck went to talk to him but it ended up where Chuck was beaten up by him and his friends. His sister did not lose the baby. Chuck was the first one to become a believer in his family, his mom and two of his sisters are going to a house church in their barrio. I look at Chuck’s life and see hope, hope for all the people that we are working with and when we feel discouraged we need to think of success stories like this one. Please keep Chuck and his family in your prayers!

God Bless!
Mike and Dani

A Note from John Hendee!

2010-02-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

A Note from John Hendee!

How do you say thanks?

I was reflecting this past week on the number of people who help make it possible for us to be working in Trujillo, Peru.

First there is our Board. They are a group of people committed to missions not only in Peru but around the world. Between them they are also involved in projects in Africa, Europe, Russia, 10-40 window, South America, Central America, and more. They give their time and energy to what we are doing. They give of their wisdom and years of experience. We are so grateful for them.

Then there are the Big Sisters churches. These are the churches that are the major supporters for what is going on in Peru. They fund that part of the work. There are 13 of them and they give from $1000 to $3000 a month to support this grand project. We couldn't do it without them. Several of them also help support Carla and I, Mike and Danell, and Tony and Kelley. They are fantastic. Plus they send teams down during the year to help out in Peru and several donate to special projects such as buying cows, or helping build chimneys in poor houses.

Then there are the many churches that help support Team Expansion. That provides the support all three U.S. couples mentioned above need to be able to work on the mission.

We couldn't work with them.

On top of that there are a couple foundations that give annually and are major partners with us in Peru.

Hope for Kids through their donors gives thousands of dollars every year to help sponsor needy children.

Wow, what a huge team of generous, committed people.

We have discovered that generosity is not a global trait.

But God has blessed us with generous, committed people.

Thanks God.

Thanks to all of you.

Diana's Story - by Mike Bukta

2010-01-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

This month we want to share one of the first of what we hope are many success at the Women’s Village. I want to share a bit of the story of Diana. Diana is 31 years old (we will leave her last name out for confidentiality). Her 12 year old daughter was also abused. They were both abused by the father of her 1 year old daughter. Both Diana and her daughter had black eyes, swollen faces and lips. They were scared and felt alone.

After her abuse Diana took and her children went to the Commissioner of Women Department where they were not properly attended to. They didn’t know where to go or what to do so they went to the police station where they told them about the Women’s Village. When they arrived at the Village they didn’t have any documents, clothes, or money. The daughter was crying a lot and they were all in great desperation, very lonely and sad. We took them to seek medical attention and started their therapy.

The mom works at Totus, which is like a Target here. Mara, the director of the Women’s Village, accompanied Diana to her work and talked with her boss. He was very pleased that she was getting help and has now asked us to do seminars for their employees on abuse. The abuser also works for the same company but in a different location. He was fired. She was only working part time but now her boss gave her more hours so she is now working full time. In order for her to work fulltime, Danitza who is in charge of the volunteers for the Women’s Village, found an orphanage that will take care of the baby. And because it is summer vacation here the grandma picked up the oldest daughter and brought her back to live with her until school starts again. Diana only stayed at the Village for 3days, but has continued her therapy as an outpatient. Danitza started the Peace Treaty (our evangelistic tool) with her. This family came into the Village frightened, scared and feeling unloved. They left the Village with hope for their future.

This story is one of many about women who are abused, violated and suffers in silence. They do not report their abuse for fear of retaliation by the abuser, not knowing what their rights are, and not having anywhere to go. Our goal is to have a culture that says no to abuse!

Beginning Our 5th Full Year

2010-01-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

As we close in on beginning our 5th full year in Trujillo, Peru I want to share something that I have shared with many already.

Mike and Danell went to Peru at the beginning of 2005 and spent the first year studying Spanish. They were going to help our team with visiting groups from the U.S. That was pretty much it. Little did we all know what was in store for them or PNHI.

A year ago we did something we never imagined would have happened, for a number of reasons, when they first went to Peru. We made Mike the team leader of PNHI in Peru. We never imagined that we would do that because we never thought we would have to let our former team leader go. Also, we would have never guessed Mike had the ‘metal’ to become a team leader. His resume doesn’t look like someone who would be the leader of a team of 35 people in another country. Little did we know 5 years ago, but God knew.

I told Mike in the beginning that his role would be like that of a coach taking over a professional hockey team that had a dysfunctional relationship with their previous coach, and that it would take at least a year to rebuild the team, develop a good spirit, and find out who really wanted to work. Mike took up the challenge and has done an amazing job. The transition has NOT been easy. It has been stressful. But Mike and Danell’s commitment, drive, faith, openness, fairness, integrity and perseverance have helped them through the tough times, making tough decisions, facing the fallout, and still keeping their eyes on the goal of a new effective team reaching people for Jesus and planting churches all over Trujillo.

Mike and I are convinced that the numbers we currently have should have been 2 or 3 times larger - IF all had gone right. But it didn’t. As of February we will have had a team on the field 4 years and as of June of 2010 our team will have been in the barrios working for 4 years.

Right now we are averaging 1500 people active in our ministry. As I said, that is less than Mike and I believe it should have been but it is still pretty good considering all that has happened this year. Here is what is very encouraging to me. Since the first part of the year the attendance of adults in Oral Bible story groups in homes has grown 100%. That is amazing considering all the changes that have been taking place. They have grown from about 375 average attendance in these groups, just counting adults, to 746 and that is during a time when we have had to deal with rebellion and divisive actions by some previous team members which resulted in losing some people. There are 75 home groups. That’s up 200%. On top of that we have 600-plus children and 140-plus youth involved. I’m so grateful to God and our key people in Peru, for their hard work and dealing with all the challenges they have without throwing in the towel or losing site of the goal.Now, let me talk about evangelism. Mike and Danell have started getting the remaining people plus the new people coming on board really focused on bringing people to Christ. They are doing it by training, encouragement and personal example.

Over the first many months of 2009 the team was experiencing 2 to 4 baptisms a month. With a renewed emphasis on training, insistence on using the Peace Treaty and seeing the natural excitement of those going out and sharing the Gospel, things have turned around.

You need to know that most of these people who were baptized in the recent months were taken through the Peace Treaty. That means someone had to meet with them FOUR times to teach the four lessons. These weren’t just people who raised their hands at a rally and then were taken to be baptized. They were reached, taught, discipled and then baptized.

Here are the baptism numbers for the last four months and 10 days of 2009:

August - 14

September - 33

October - 32

November - 29

December - 9 (the first 10 days or so – Dec/Feb is summer in Peru)

Total = 117

Now that is more like it should be.

Our team is rebuilding.

They are focused on reaching people for Christ and sharing the Gospel using the Peace Treaty.

They are training people in planting churches using Oral Bible story telling.

They are opening new barrios working with Life Winds.

We are on track. We will still have challenges, but we have the nucleus of a team that GETS IT and are doing it.

PRAY FOR THEM. This is a very crucial time. With a renewed emphasis on training trainers and doing evangelism, we pray that 2010 will be a powerful year for Christ.

God bless you all - and have a wonderful Christmas,

John and Carla

Beginning A New Year - Tim Coop

2010-01-14T07:02:00.000-08:00

Beginning a new year is always a refreshing thing. This is going to be the most effective one for PNHI. We have learned much, have made mid-course corrections - and with all of that this project is one of the most effective and creative approaches to mission I have ever seen in 49 years of ministry.

I want to pay tribute to the pioneer of PNHI today. Those who have worked with John Hendee say that he has more new ideas by noon than most of us have in a lifetime! It was just a few years ago John shared his dream of finding a city in Peru and developing a city-reaching strategy that would include work in the barrios, the city, and creating businesses. This dream included finding Big Sisters to support the work for 6 years. He went to work, traveling all over the country, enrolled a wonderful group of Big Sister.

The work began with the most vigorous approach - going to seven barrios with seven families - all at one time! The activity coming out of those barrios is amazing to me - the house churches, the baptisms, and the increased quality of life.

And then the work proceeded with the beginning of business in a way I have never seen. And while we are learning at lot I salute the experiment and the continuing effort. We can't wait to see what happens.

And now the effort to start a church planting movement in the city has gained momentum. Mike tells me there are six house churches meeting now and this is with just a few months of existence.

But the steady hand behind all of this is John. He works tirelessly for PNHI, so much so that his board has to beg him to take time off. And through all of the challenges he continues to keep his focus and his passion for lost people in Trujillo. He is truly an evangelist. And God just keeps giving him ideas! So if you get a call from John at 7:30 in the morning and he is gushing with exciting Kingdom things to do, just thank God for a man that is wired like him. He is a Kingdom man, and I am glad to be impacted by him. And next to him is his wife, faithful Carla, who hangs in there with it all. God bless you, John and Carla.

Moory Christmas - by Mack Jennings

2009-12-28T12:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all (or, if you are in the dairy business like we are in Peru, perhaps it is “Mooory Christmas). It has been a wonderful year on the evangelical side of the Peru project and a year of some discovery, some disappointments and some successes in the business side of the project. We look forward to growth in the dairy in 2010 as well as some new businesses that will fuel the evangelical side sometime in the future.

The US side of the business team spends considerable time in Peru and stateside seeking out new business opportunities. As we have ideas we work with our man on the ground in Peru, Nestor Silva, who also contributes ideas of his own. Then, through numerous professional contacts and network sources, he investigates, develops, ensures our legal well being and attempts to put people together to create an entity that will eventually help support our effort in Trujillo/Viru and also enable us to move to a different community perhaps.

Some of the new projects that are being examined are the construction of a shipping facility in the port city of Salavarry, low cost housing , a plant nursery facility in Viru, a recycling business and concerts for school kids (what a grand opportunity for the evangelical side too!). Of course we have no specific training in building ports or housing projects but we will be in the role of putting knowledgeable businesses together and providing a top level oversight, thus being a value added component that will share in the profits of the ventures.

We are also thinking about restarting the cuy (a staple food in Peru) business in the facilities we have already constructed in Viru (the last effort was the victim of some disease that pretty much wiped out the cuy population). We would enter that business, as well as the nursery business, with the National University in Trujillo as participating partners. We bring facilities and some work force to the partnership, the university brings financial and other resources, as well as students in the various university disciplines who have knowledge of the specific business.

2010 will be a challenging year for the Kingdom Business side of the project. We hope that you will join in our prayers for wisdom, resources, good relationships with partners (who will also be hearing the Word at the same time) and success in the financial and spiritual realms.

Church Planting by Tim Coop

2009-12-21T07:36:00.000-08:00

I wanted to take this month to bring you up to speed on what we are doing in the area of church planting. We are moving forward with the idea of building and equipping new leaders.

The church planting movement in Trujillo will focus on starting hundreds of house churches called “Puentes” in Spanish, or “Bridges.” Feeling the need to train and equip the leaders of these churches has led us to see the need for ongoing leadership training. One of my responsibilities in Trujillo will be to oversee Bridge Builder Training - a certificate training program that would meet five hours, once a month, on Saturday for ten months each year, beginning in March. A graduate from this program would receive a certificate and a small library of valuable resource books. The courses would be taught by PNHI board members John Hendee, Tim Coop, Don Lawrence, and Roger Storms.

Here is a list of the courses that will be offered:

The Inner Formation of the Servant Leader
How To Make Sense Out of the Bible
Leadership Lessons From Jesus
Experiencing The Holy Spirit, The Wind in Our Sails
Lessons From the Vine: Growth and Discipline
Understanding the End Times
How To Defend Your Faith
Developing a Healthy Marriage
Building Relationships That Change the World
Managing Your Five Stewardship Assets

The first Bridge Builder Training will be held March 6th at the PNHI office. We are anticipating dozens of leaders taking advantage of this equipping opportunity. I will be blogging along the way about how this approach is working.

The entire board and all those involved in Project New Hope International thank you for your support throughout 2009. Each of us celebrates with you the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas to all!

God Bless!

Tim Coop

Stories - by Mike Butka

2009-12-14T07:02:00.000-08:00

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

Our Board - by John Hendee

2009-12-07T06:59:00.001-08:00

I have had the opportunity to share with you about the wonderful work going on in Trujillo, Peru. I have also had a chance to share what a great team we have assemble there. But I also have to tell you to tell you about our board. You can see a picture of them on on web site;

http://www.projectnewhopeinternational.com/whoarewe.asp

This is really the first time in my life I have worked with a board on a regular basis. As a board we try and meet every three months. There is phone interaction every week, including a regular Thursday Skype call between the U.S. and

Peru

involving about 6 people. Most of our board members are in

Peru

every year, some 3 or 4 times. They are an active board. They are responsible to take care of the costs of getting to the board meetings and

Peru

. Most of them come from Big Sister churches. Our Big Sister churches are the churches that are major contributors to the work in

Peru

.

The board takes their job of helping carry out our mission in

Peru

and representing all the churches seriously.

We have learned to trust each other. We are all different. And each person adds something special to the team. We have full time church workers as well as people with decades of experience in the business world. All have decades of working with missions around the world.

All see the uniqueness of what we are doing in

Peru

and believe in the importance of it. A few of our retired business people are basically working full time with us.

It is inspiring to see how hard this group is working.

NOW, we don't always see things eye to eye.

This is not a 'rubber stamp' group, or a group of yes men and women I've gathered. I wouldn't want that. We have learned to ask the HARD questions and not be offended.

We have learned to be challenged and be asked to explain why something is being done, or not being done.

This is a tough group, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What makes it work is that we trust each other. No one is out for personal glory or control. We believe in what we are doing and that it is for God.

I have learned to really appreciate this group, knowing I can go to them individually and as a group and ask for support and direction, knowing I will get wise guidance. I have learned to sit back in some areas and let them make decision. I have learned to submit to them.

I thank God for this dedicated group. You can too! You can be resting assured that there is a group doing all they can to insure that the funds received for PNHI are being used properly and that all possible is being done to make this work for God.

God Bless!

John

Kingdom Businesses

2009-11-30T07:44:00.000-08:00

My name is Mack Jennings. I will be bringing you up to date on the Kingdom Business side of Project New Hope International.

Our Kingdom Business segment of the project in Peru currently consists of a dairy located in Viru, an agricultural area about 45 minutes from Trujillo. It is situated on a ten hectare (about 22 acres) parcel of leased land that is also used to grow chala (a corn like product that is used as one of the primary foods for the cows), has five barns for raising up to 11,000 cuyes (a small furry animal that is a food staple in Peru), space for a sizable plant nursery and other developing potentials.

The dairy was formed in 2007 with the construction of the needed buildings, the hiring of a highly qualified veterinarian/dairyman, Javier Vasquez and the purchase of 48 pregnant cows and milking/sanitation equipment. Through the generosity of several institutions, we were able to purchase an additional 32 pregnant cows this year and, with births, we now have a total of 140 cows (a few deaths occurred and all male cows are sold within six weeks of birth). All of the cows that are not producing now will become producers within one to twenty-five months. In fact, one of the initially purchased cows is about to become a grandma, when Esperanza, the first born cow from the 2007 lot gives birth in a few a few months. Then, in about twenty-five months we will add the fourth generation!

The life cycle of a milk cow is birth, impregnation at sixteen months and then delivery at twenty-five months. During that period, they do nothing but eat, so they are expensive resources until they begin producing milk with their first birth. Then, about three months following the first birth, they are impregnated again, so they have a baby cow about every year, producing milk for ten months of that year, with two dry months. A cow is generally good for about seven pregnancies. We use a special semen that has been genetically engineered to produce 75% females, as we have no use for the baby bulls whatsoever.

We had six cows born in October, expect eighteen more in November and will continue to grow the heard of milkers until we reach our optimal size of 420 cows (land restraints will prevent us from growing any larger on our present location).

We hope to grow faster than the birth method will allow by purchasing more pregnant cows. A pregnant cow and the food it eats until it begins producing milk is approximately $2,500 to $3,000 and we welcome contributions for that purpose. Obviously, not all contributions can be of the size to make a purchase on its own, so smaller appreciated contributions will be grouped together until accumulated funds are sufficient to acquire a pregnant cow. BUT WAIT, we also gratefully welcome any help we can get for feeding the new borns for the first twenty-five months.

The next Kingdom Business blog will discuss dairy progress briefly and then also reveal progress we are making in establishing new businesses and their evangelical outreach potential, alongside new university community partners.

A church in the city of Trujillo

2009-11-22T19:06:00.000-08:00

A church in the city of Trujillo - what should it look like? Consistent with the LifeWind (community transformation) and the Bridges (Bible story telling) approaches, the church in the city will resemble the house church model. This model seeks to develop small groups that can meet in homes and be lead by nonpaid leaders. The idea is that every believer who can tell Bible stories can be a church planter! Does it work? In just a couple of months there are four house churches meeting in the city, with a total attendance of over 70 people.

Our trainers have prayerfully identified two barrios in the city where we are launching our city work. Roger and Rosa are their names. Would you put them on your prayer list? The city of Trujillo is made up of 59 barrios. A city barrio is any identified community regardless of economic status. The first barrio is the community surrounding the PNHI offices - a middle class area. The second barrio is toward the outskirts of the city in a community called Buenos Aires - a poorer area. A church is meeting every Sunday evening in the offices. A church is meeting in a rehabilitation center in Buenos Aires.

The goal of the Trainers is to go into the barrios and build relationships, explain who they are and make themselves available for holistic service. The LifeWind strategy is the more long-range approach and will take a full two years to fully develop. But it has the potential to be exponential in its growth over time. The idea is to build relationships with the plan of building a barrio committee who is willing to be trained to lead their community in health and wholeness. Eventually 15 community health trainers are equipped to go into 15 homes each with a message of health and Bible story telling. Out of this come several house churches. All of this will take time.

While I was in Trujillo a few weeks ago, Roger, Rosa, Mike, Danell and I went to see the barrio committee, a group of dedicated people who have tried to make a difference. They had stopped meeting because they could not find others interested in helping. We were a breath of fresh air to them and we gather the names of others in the community who care. They told us about a school just a few blocks away that needed all kinds of help. Roger and Rosa are on their way toward earning the right to be heard.

In the meantime, the Bridges strategy has us starting house churches wherever we can. Along with story telling, our trainers are teaching the Peace Treaty, a gospel presentation that leads people to a personal walk with Jesus, at every opportunity. So - long range community transformation is taking place and short term evangelism is being done simultaneously. As people come to Jesus we ask them to be willing to open their homes for weekly Bible story telling, which will be considered a house church as soon as it gains viability.

The approach is simple. We believe it can be dynamic. Church planting movements are built on the notion that by building no buildings and having no paid pastors, the church can proliferate at a rapid pace. This is happening all over the world. Pray for a Trujillo city church planting movement and pray for Roger and Rosa. In a few years we will see a dynamic church planting movement in the city that grows exponentially, is decentralized and is not dependant on American dollars.

Stories - by Mike Butka

2009-11-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

Last month we started working in Buenas Aires Sur, it’s a place that is in the city and very close to our offices. It’s very poor and has a reputation of being a very violent neighborhood. We’ve built a relationship with a Christian guy named Luis who is in charge of a drug and alcohol rehab center. He has been a good contact for us because he knows a lot of people and is introducing us to them so we can start puentes groups and Life Winds. So last month we asked him if we could start doing “Peace Treaties” with some of the guys in the morning. Forty five guys live there but some of them are able to leave for work so we only have about 25 guys to work with in the mornings. After the first week I (Mike) thought to myself – are we wasting our time – because it seemed like the guys weren’t really that interested. I’m glad God doesn’t give up on us as fast I did with these guys! During the next three weeks I starting noticing changes in these guys, they were on time, attentive, asking questions and seemed like they were enjoying themselves and were interested in learning. After the 3^rd lesson, which talks about baptism, not one person wanted to be baptized, but they had tons of questions about it. So we answered all of them and finished up with the “Peace Treaty” the next week and again asked who wanted to be baptized. Two guys wanted to be baptized the following week. So we bought a plastic pool because remember these guys aren’t allowed to leave the premises. As the team was leaving our offices to go baptize the two, I asked "are all of you guys are going to be baptized?" They looked at me and said no, just two. You guessed it, 5 men got baptized that day! The following week 3 more got baptized. With the ones that got baptized we are starting a discipleship program with them and the rest we are doing Puentes. This is our first experience in Buenas Aires Sur!

The next miracle happens in the Women’s Village! Abuse is very common here in Trujillo! The problem is that these women have no place to go if they decide to report abuse. We have a place that can house 16 women for temporary care. We want to provide care to women who experience any type of violence that have no place to go. We not only will be helping the women that come to the village but we will be doing a lot of preventative work and promoting a city of peace! We had our inauguration Oct. 9^th. It was a success as 75 people attended the 2 hour event. A lot of influential people attended including the mayor of the district, lawyers, the press, and several people who work in the social worker industry. In order for the women to stay at the village they have to go through the legal channels. Even though we are anxiously waiting for the women the work continues. Mara, the director of the village and her team are working hard making contacts and doing a lot of prevention seminars in universities, school and women’s groups. They are also training volunteers. Our goal is to have 100 volunteers by December! As I write this, we have 85! Please continue praying for the Women’s Village and for us to raise money here in Trujillo and in the States. If you’re interested in donating please contact Terri Smith tls0615@yahoo.com.

November's 1st Update - by John Hendee

2009-11-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

This will be the first real update since the Board of Directors for Project New Hope International has returned from Peru. One area that I feel the need to bring you up to speed on is winning souls for the Kingdom of God. I keep getting good reports from Mike in Peru. We have been and are making some huge changes in the team in Peru and those changes are starting to bring significant results already. Recently I was working with Mike and Danell on getting the Ambassador training program working well. They have taken it to heart. They are both great Ambassadors!!! They have lead many people to Christ in their time in Peru. But as new field team leaders they decided that they wanted to make it a goal and strategy to train every new Christian how to use the Peace Treaty. I learned years ago that the first things you teach new Christians is what they will do for the rest of their life. In many places the first thing we teach them is to 1) sit and listen in a class or service 2) become a teacher of those who sit and listen. We want new Christians to learn how to share their faith so they will be doing that the rest of their life and be equipped to carry out the great commission.

SSSOOO…

It is starting to take affect. In August our team had 35 people accept Christ and be baptized. They did it in pools, lakes and the ocean. We hope to put our team on the road to leading hundreds to Christ. A tip of the hat to those doing God’s work in Peru! Great job! Keep it up. You are being a great model to us in the U.S.

A Story from Mike Butka

2009-10-23T08:07:00.001-07:00

This month I want to share a story of one of the many successes that we are having in Trujillo. I want to tell you a story about Patty. Patty was one of the first people we met when we first arrived in Trujillo four and half years ago. Patty was Skylar and Nicole’s Spanish teacher. After 6 months, she started volunteering and helping (Danell) with Hope 4 Kids. Now she is one of the supervisors and they do it all! We are so grateful for their hard work and dedication to this program and to Christ. Danell and I took Patty and her parents through the Peace Treaty and all three of them were baptized in 2006. We never pressured or bible thumped Patty about her religious traditions that she was still part of. Recently she has been coming to our house church and she has been part of our training in the ambassador program, Life Winds and Puentes (bridges). All three of these programs we use in the barrios. It is so awesome to see how much she has grown with Christ and how her walk with the Lord is so strong. When we were in a new barrio called Buenas Aires Sur doing the Peace Treaty with 15 men at a drug rehab center, Patty was in my group. After the first lesson, she was all excited and told me that she was a natural evangelist. Patty was so excited and said I can’t believe I could have been doing this all along and I have wasted 3 years. I said don’t worry because you have many years and opportunities to serve Jesus. She told us that she can’t believe that she is and can be an ambassador of Christ. She is on fire for the Lord and last week she baptized her friend Lauren who she also took through the Peace Treaty. Now Patty is going to train Lauren how to be an ambassador! And this is how multiplying begins. Thank you Jesus for the love you continually give us!

The Last Week of September - John Hendee

2009-09-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

It was great to get our group introduced to you over the last month. In the coming months, it will be our goal to keep you up to date in each of our specific areas.

As I thought about what to update you on this month, God led me to share with you some of the things Project New Hope International has been doing or is doing in Trujillo, Peru. It is pretty amazing what God is doing! And all this has been done in about three years!

1. We have regular children's programs involving about 800 kids every week in the barrios.

2. We are doing character teaching in several schools.

3. We help support education opportunities in the barrios by sharing our facilities with groups focused on that in the barrios.

4. We have helped provide water to two schools with several thousand students, partnering with Water for the World.

5. We have helped build many water tanks in the barrios.

6. We have helped build many bathrooms in the barrios.

7. We have helped build kitchens in the barrios.

8. We have built community centers in 5 barrios.

9. We have built a clinic in a poor area which should start functioning with the help of one of the Universities in town.

10. We partner with Hope 4 Kids in sponsoring about 250 kids in the barrios; food, clothes, bed, etc.

11. We have a full time youth worker in the barrios helping form youth groups. They have over 250 kids participating.

12. We have had various businesses helping provide jobs. We have a dairy farm with 150 cows.

13. We are helping the people build hundreds of chimneys in houses in the poorer areas.

14. We are working to help the people start bakeries in the barrios.

15. We have helped build many houses in the poorest areas and repair many falling apart.

16. We have regular activities in different areas for the senior adults in the barrios.

17. We have taken lots of youth on retreats out of their barrio.

18. We have helped sponsor kids days at parks and the beach for the poorest of kids.

19. We are helping the people in community development through a program called LifeWinds.

20. We are seeking to help get medical supplies to the hospitals through a group called Project CURE.

21. We helped sponsor a free dental clinic for 100 kids from the barrios, cooperating with Rotary club.

22. We are forming Community councils to help the people carry out many programs in the barrios.

23. We have sponsored health campaigns in the barrios in the form of cancer tests for women and parasite testing for children.

24. We are doing charter teaching in many schools with teachers.

25. We are working to bring a team from the U.S. to start Hospice Care in Trujillo.

26. We have had over 500 people from the U.S travel to Trujillo to help work in the barrios. They also have

gone to rest homes, orphanages, hospitals, special-ed schools and the women's prison.

27. We have offered marriage seminars in many barrios and in the city.

28. We have brought psychologists from the U.S to do training and teaching.

29. We are supporting 9 Peruvian families and 5 singles and are training them how to help in the community.

30. We are opening a refuge for women in crisis in Trujillo and plan to build a Women's Village.

31. We have cooperated in encouraging U.S. Aid to come to Trujillo to help on projects.

32. We have taken groups of women from the U.S. to visit and encourage women in prison.

33. We had a group of women from the U.S. help clean and paint the Emergencia Center for Women in Trujillo.

34. We have helped build a sports court in a barrio and plan on another soon.

35. We had our first Rendezvous in Peru in which visitors and locals helped on 8 or 9 different social

projects in the barrios.

36. We worked with IPD in the past on sports programs and plan on doing more.

37. We have had little girl’s choirs in the barrios; they are suspended right now for lack of support but plan on restarting them.

Wow! These are examples of what God is helping us do through you in Trujillo, Peru! Thank God and all those who are helping make this possible!

I believe God is preparing us for greater things ahead. If you would like to help support more of this go to our DONATE section and let your heart be your guide. Let your friends know and encourage them to help make a difference in the world.

In Him,

John

4th Week of September - Eric Malave

2009-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

My name is Eric Malave and I first experienced the Project New Hope Internationals plan in July of 2006, when I came down on a short mission trip with Hope 4 Kids International. The barrio director’s had been working in the Barrio’s about 30 days, so it was near the beginning. After seeing the vision of the project, I knew I had to be involved in some way or another. This mission touched my heart at the right time as I was really trying to piece together what God’s will for my life was. I had just helped plant a church in my community, serving as a part-time Children’s Pastor, and while that was fulfilling, it still didn’t seem like I was either being used to my full potential, or that I was really fully passionate about what I was doing. John Hendee and Project New Hope was about to change all of that. After many discussions over the last few years with John, I came on board as the Assistant to the Executive Director in April of 2009.

I work directly with John on many different projects. The first project I started on was to change our website look and content, with a goal of really telling the story of what is happening in Trujillo. I am also currently in production of new videos for our website and for promotion of different areas of the project. I am also working on new brochures for the project as well.

Another area that I have begun work on is connecting new organizations and churches to the project. In October, I will be hosting our first Vision Trip in Trujillo, Peru. The idea is to take a few days to show other churches and organizations everything our team is working on in Trujillo and then help them figure out how they may fit in as a partner to the project. Our first trip will include a group from Young Life from Arizona and a Young Life Team from Lima. I will also be hosting a few other individuals that are looking to be more involved including Jim Rhodes from El Centro California and David Myers from Fellowship Church in Anthem, Arizona. We will also, be doing a dedication of a water well that our partner Water for the World helped us complete in a local school.

After traveling to different parts of the world and seeing many friends doing great things around the world, I had never seen a project of this magnitude until traveling to Peru. I truly believe this project can change the way things are being done around the world. There is a saying, “You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and feed him for a life”. Our team is teaching! They are teaching people how to help themselves as communities and to rise up leaders from within their own barrios and not just to rely on relief organizations, but to rely on God and each other. It is amazing to see the growth of the people. And I am proud to be a part of this organization.

Eric Malave

3rd Week of September - Tim Coop

2009-09-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

My name is Tim Coop. I recently resigned from Pantano Christian Church, in Tucson, Arizona, where I had served for 17 years. My wife Sandy and I have now moved to Las Vegas so that we can be near my children and grandchildren.

I have been a part of Project New Hope International from the very beginning. This project has been a bold, fresh approach to missions - to reaching a city. My role is now expanding with the project. Knowing I had some discretionary time, John Hendee has asked me to be a consultant for Project New Hope in the area of developing a city church planting movement in Trujillo. We are doing some amazing things in the barrios surrounding Trujillo. Now it is time to turn our attention to the city itself. Our strategy is to use the LifeWind (holistic community transformation) and Bridges (Biblical Story Telling), the same vehicles we are using in the barrios outside the city to develop a city movement built on small house churches which change the barrios of the city from the inside out. Trujillo consists of 59 barrios. Out of the 59, two city barrios have already been chosen to begin the city work, barrios that give us the greatest chance for success. They will become our pilot projects. This approach is time and relationship intensive, but promises amazing exponential, transforming results in the long term.

At the same time, it is the goal of the city movement to develop a healthy city celebration where Christ Followers can gather for a family reunion on a weekly basis. Mike Bukta has recently started such a gathering on Sunday nights.

I will be working with Mike in this role, making four or five trips every year to Trujillo, and making myself available to him on a weekly basis through email and phone calls.

In the past three years in Tucson, I helped Pantano utilize LifeWind in the urban poor areas of Tucson, experimenting with how we can use the LifeWind principles of community transformation in Western culture. As a member of the PNHI board since it’s inception I have been a part of helping us fully grasp the paradigm of community transformation using the LifeWind and Bridges approach. Now, I am truly excited about seeing what can happen in the city of Trujillo. Just once in my life I would like to witness a movement that is so out of control only God can take the credit or contain it. This would be my prayer in the city of Trujillo.

Tim Coop

2nd Week of September - Mike Butka

2009-09-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

In September we will be working in 7 new barrios. For the last month and a half, each barrio director has been visiting at least 3 possible barrios to start their new work in. I would like to tell you a story about an experience that one of the directors had.

Jorge was driving into a new area, his goal was to get to know people and introduce himself and the project. He was welcomed by two guards! The guards would not let Jorge in the barrio, and they closed the gate before he could drive in. As Jorge was talking to these two guards, 30 people with shovels and big sticks surrounded his truck. There were also huge rocks in his path. Jorge was very nervous and scared; because this was the first time he has been in a situation like this. He didn’t really know what to do! I’m sure he wanted to just back up and drive away, but obviously there were people all around him and he had nowhere to escape. So he got out of the truck and they asked him who he was, and he responded with, “who are you guys?” They replied, “We are the neighborhood watch and we have had a lot of trouble with theft and crime in this barrio, so we are very careful who we let in.” Jorge introduced himself and told them about the project and the work we want to do in their barrio. Then the crowd went from wanting to lynch him to welcoming him. They were excited to hear about the work that we want to do there. One woman there said that she’s been praying about someone helping their community. This barrio does not have any churches or help from the government because it is a newly formed barrio. This is just one of the many of the positive feedback's that we have been getting about the work in the barrios.

I would like to share one other quick story with you. Manuel is a university student that is teaching Skylar and Nicole drums, he also will be teaching them keyboard. We just finished going through the Peace Treaty with him and he got baptized on Saturday at the beach. We offered the Peace Treaty to his mom and aunt and they are excited to go through the lessons this week! Please pray for this family; Manuel is a very neat kid.

As always Danell and I ask for your continued prayers in all areas. We ask that you petition God on our behalf as we continue to move forward with moving into new barrios. And we ask that you petition God on our behalf to continue to guide those barrios that we have already been in. Please continue to keep our entire team in your prayers.

In God’s Service!

Mike, Danell, Skylar and Nicole

1st Week of September - John Hendee

2009-09-01T23:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are familiar with Project New Hope International, you know me and my wife Carla. For those who are new to our ministry I would to take the opportunity to tell you who we are and what we are doing in Trujillo, Peru. My name is John Hendee and the beautiful woman pictured with me is my wife Carla. I am the Executive Director of PNHI and was one of the founders of the project when it was formed over five years ago.

My role as Executive Director of Project New Hope International has been to be a leader for all of our missionaries on the ground in Trujillo. Since 2007 I have made 26 separate trips in country to help lend support to our team there.

Now let me fill you in on what has been happening in country! While Project New Hope International was established over five years ago, the work on the ground in Trujillo has actually been underway for a little over three years. While we have had some failures in the early years of the project, the movement to “win one city at a time in Peru for Christ” is well underway. We have seen far more successes than failures during our time there. And we really feel that more progress will be made since we made some minor changes to our team in Trujillo.

Let me share some of the success that really have us excited about what we are doing in Trujillo. At present we have over 1500 people involved in weekly home oral Bible story groups. We are working in the poor areas, in the city, reaching out to university students, working in forming businesses (i.e. we have a dairy farm) and we are working with many other groups in common ventures. We are also working on opening a clinic and building a Women's Village for battered women and others in crisis.

God has truly blessed Project New Hope International with a great team. I encourage you to take some time looking through the pages of our website. Get to know each of the members and add them to your prayer list. You will find a link to Project New Hope Internationals webpage on this blog.

Finally, I want to give you an idea what you can expect from this blog. Each week you will be getting an update from key leaders in the project. In September, they will introduce themselves to you. And then in following months each leader will update you on what is happening in his particular area. Next week you will get a chance to know Mike Butka better. Mike is our Field Team Leader. After that you will hear from Tim Coop. Tim is beginning a new endeavor with Project New Hope International. He will be involved in helping our City Church expand. Then, Nestor Silva will report on the progress of the businesses. And finally, months that have 5 weeks, Eric Malave will report on his activities. Eric is working as my associate.

All in all, our goal as a group is to do more to keep you informed of the great things God is doing in Peru. The blog is one way to keep you informed. Another way is through our “Prayer Page.” Please visit our prayer pages often for our specific prayer requests.

Thank you for your interest in Project New Hope International! And God bless you all!

In Him,

John & Carla Hendee