The Glover Family Weblog

I just realized that I had not updated our blog since August! I am about to post the same articles printed in our last November newsletter. This is mainly for those recently-made friendships and prayer partners who did not receive the newsletter. As for those of you who have already read these articles, a quick update: God is blessing the work of our Ecuadorian partners who are working in Iquitos in our absence. The church is growing both spiritually and numerically. Two of them recently traveled to a jungle village to encourage a group of believers struggling to start a church. Please pray for two Christmas outreach events scheduled for December 18 and 20. Pray that families will be reached for Christ!

Here are the newsletter articles. (Plus some new pictures!)

A Thankful Heart

Often we never see the growth of the seed we’ve planted. Sometimes I contemplate why our efforts seem to prove fruitless. But God convicted me of not having a thankful heart. He reminded me that he is working. After all, our involvement in this ministry began with a simple prayer in an Iquitos hotel almost seven years ago. Was it God’s will for Jake and I to continue coming to Peru? As I look back I see the many obstacles and challenges, but I am so thankful that God said YES! Over the past two years we’ve seen new works take root and established works flourish. We’ve seen the birth of a new church in Iquitos that will be a partner in missions to the jungle. We also see the potential to start a work that will lead to the evangelization of a currently uncontacted people group. God has been faithful and we rejoice because “He who began a good work in (us) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

A Daily Blessing 

One sprout that has been a huge blessing is our house helper, Ketty. We met her soon after arriving in Iquitos. She was looking for work and I was the mother of a 2 yr old and newborn. It took time for us to be able to understand each other, both in speech and action. But she has become one of our most loyal friends. She loves my girls like her own children, and her 8 yr old daughter is one of Hannah’s best friends. If you’ve come to see us, you’ve most likely eaten her cooking which at times has included alligator and turtle soup. Other missionaries tell me that a good empleada is hard to find because you never know when they will show up. Ketty, though, has often waded through the flood waters of her neighborhood in order to come to work. At times I discover that she has gone above and beyond to repair a torn shirt or broken figurine. I know that she works because she needs the money, but I also believe that she has grown to believe in what we are doing. In March she went with us to the jungle and on the trip home we talked about salvation. She told me that she had accepted Christ but had not been baptized. In October she went again on a trip to the jungle and was able to take part in the Bible Studies as well as give her testimony.  She came back very enthusiastic about her faith. She has shared with us that she and her family still have many changes to make in their lives, but she desires to follow the Lord and she is thankful for our example. She and her family have been coming to our new church plant and this Sunday Ketty will be baptized! Pray that God will bless her obedience and allow her to be a testimony to her family.  Pray also that God will provide for her and her family while we are in the states.

Ketty’s baptism