by Chris Conti
8 March 2012

	Chris Conti talking with inquirer

Mission mobilization in Peru is so rewarding because the church is already growing in her knowledge and commitment to missions. I just get to walk with them and be inspired by those called. I’ve had great opportunities to speak at mission conferences, and later this month I will teach a course on “Communicating your Calling” for 30 candidates of a mission agency that sends workers throughout Peru. I’m challenged by the faith of Peruvian churches and the potential missionaries.

When Yony was denied a two-year visa to India, she felt God’s leading to do a shorter length observation trip and not to go alone, but see who else God would raise up to form a team. A team of three faithful women emerged, each with a call to India. Yony did all of the preparation and I just helped by being a sounding board and helping her to connect with missionaries on that field.

When the women passed the first big hurdle of getting visas, after a late night of paperwork at my house, another big challenge came: How were they going to raise US$4000 each in the next six weeks? I had my doubts. None of them have great jobs or wealth. Nevertheless, they served chicken dinners in their church to raise money, they tirelessly spoke to whomever would listen, and they even sold some of the few items they owned to go on this trip.

The night before they left, they were again in my living room as we prayed. They still didn’t have all of their needs covered, but were going to go on faith. (Yes, there is a fine line between being ill-planned and having faith… but I continue to learn from them that I could use a little more faith in my life.) They have a backup plan of one of their sisters giving them a loan that they would have to pay back once returning.

Yony has called a few times since arriving in India and they are having a once-in-a-lifetime experience, going to five cities and living with missionaries, learning about all three of the major religions there. They even spent a week volunteering at Mother Theresa’s ministry!

They inspire me with their courage and sacrifice. PRAY that God provides for all their needs and that this trip will send a ripple throughout their churches as I know it already has started.

The SIM Spanish Communication team plans to finish the Interactive Manual for training missionaries this month! More than 350 pages, 23 chapters, and lots of outside resources (PowerPoints, videos, readings) will be available to Latino missionaries from any mission agency. Candidates will work through the material with a mentor, as well as spend time on personal reflection. We will present this at the Latin American Mobilization Conference in March which is here in Lima, Peru.

Pray

• For the Training Manual to be well-received, distributed and used
• For Yony, Lucy and Pilar serving in India until mid-March
• For the Latin American Mobilization Conference taking place in March in Lima, Peru

If you would like to help sponsor the creation and distribution of this Training Manual for new Latin msissionaries, please contact your nearest SIM office or give online to project 91945. Thank you and God bless!

To learn more about SIM's role in the mission movement in Latin America, visit: www.misionessim.org

UPDATE April 2012: VAMOS: New Spanish Training Manual Released