SIM is partnering with several newly-planted local churches in Cotahuasi Canyon to share the love of Christ in a culture darkened by alcoholism.

In the villages scattered throughout the canyon, many people consume homemade corn beer and toxic methanol alcohol, leaving families abandoned in poverty and abuse. A recent study by the Peruvian Ministry of Health showed that the alcoholism rate within some of the villages is around 100% among adults.

Offering Hope Through Biblical Counseling

Medical and humanistic psychological models for treatment and rehabilitation have not been successful, and government agencies are disillusioned. However, they have expressed openness to a biblical counseling and rehabilitation program being developed by local churches.

The purpose of this project is to give support to the local community and church efforts and help demonstrate the effectiveness of biblical counseling for alcoholic rehabilitation.

Working in Partnership

This pilot project is being carried out by the local churches in partnership with Sendas Cristianas (Christian Ways), a partnership of ministries serving the La Unión province of Arequipa, and Instituto Libertad, a Peruvian organization working with the government to treat alcoholics.

The local Cotahuasi government will partner in this project by providing very basic facilities for patient housing, and the National Health organization will provide initial medical care for each alcoholic in the center.

Funds for this project will be used to:

• support two full-time Biblical counselors in the rehabilitation center,
• purchase a gas cook stove and kitchen supplies including eating utensils,
• and assist with food and other basic costs of running the facility.

Pray

• For greater partnership with experienced ministries in Alcohol abuser/discipleship models.
• For increased local and national financial support that will not restrict the biblical ministry of the program.
• For more financial partnership from supporting churches and individuals.
• For God to use this center to bring freedom to many who are trapped in the addiction to alcohol.

Give

Your financial partnership will allow the church in Cotahuasi to show God's love to those struggling with alcoholism through this one year pilot project.