Raven of Love - Pastor David Baquerizo ( Lima , Peru )
Tears to Life
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My ministry has many challenges but with the support of my sponsor , I will not give up .
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I remember the day God brought Nam Sik Kwon to my life . At the time , I was pastoring at Lomas de Zapallal ( Hills of Zapallal ) church . God had taken me out of my comfortable city life and called me to a challenging region where the love of God was needed most . Our ministry began in 2003 with my sister Rosa . We wanted to start with ministering to the adults . We designed mission strategies to win lost souls . We envisioned a church for adults . But two nights before our scheduled events , God spoke to my heart , “ Start with the children .”
Engulfed in my own understanding , I angrily asked God , “ How am I supposed to start with children if they do not tithe nor give offering ? How am I supposed to keep the ministry going ?” For the second time I heard God repeating his words to me . I humbled myself and surrendered to His will . In fear and tears , I bowed my head once again and said , “ Yes Lord .” I understood that God ’ s ways are higher than ours and His plans will make our ministry succeed .
I called Rose to cancel the plans . We held our first meeting with five children in Rosa ’ s house . Although the group was small , it did not last long . By the end of 2003 , we could no longer meet in Rosa ’ s house with 35 children and moved to another location . By the end of 2004 , we had to move out again as we grew to over 75 children . By 2005 , we were meeting at an abandoned soup kitchen . The location was decrepit . We slowly raised funds
to remodel it , but there were not enough . The whole endeavor was financially and spiritually challenging for us so we started to pray early in the morning . That was also the same year we received a visit from Pastor James Lee and the missionaries .
He recommended for us to apply for the Children of Jesus program . We were excited to receive financial aid from the marvelous ministry but there was a greater blessing in store . Pastor Lee notified us that they decided to pay for our land and construct a church . This was the answer to the cries of the children ! But that was also the time I was recommended to apply for the Raven of Love ministry . Soon after , I was matched with Nam Sik Kwon from Denver , Colorado . While the primary goal of this ministry is to help offset pastors ’ finances , I could never imagine what happened next .
Her encouragement and Godly words in her letters brought tears to my eyes and life to my tired soul . I felt comfort in knowing there was someone thousands of miles away praying and caring for me . I also had the blessing of being able to meet her twice in Peru . While we could not exchange many words , my heart felt her love .
My ministry has many challenges but with the support of my sponsor , I will not give up . God has changed the lifestyles and future of the children of Zapalla , many of who are now becoming young professionals who serve faithfully and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in their workfields . I want to thank the Raven of Love ministry and my sponsor Nam Sik Kwon who helped to encourage and support my ministry . I pray for the HHK WMC to continually be blessed by God as they bless everyone in Peru . Amen .
12 HHK World Mission Center