Upon arriving in Arequipa again the missionaries had to find a house to rent. Before making any similar decision it was their custom to pray and ask God to show them definitely where they should live. Each of the other houses that they had rented had been in direct answer to prayer. This time they found that rent had really gone up. When they asked the realtor what a house was going to cost they were in shock. They looked at all the available houses. They all cost too much money and just weren't the house that they felt God wanted them to have. That night they prayed together again that God would show them just where He wanted them to live.

The next day when they went by to pick up the realtor they were expecting something from God. The missionary asked, "Do you have any new houses listed?" She responded negatively and even looked surprised at the question. The missionary insisted. "Are you sure that no one has called or anything?" She was a little perturbed but then she remembered and she said: "This morning a lady called and come to think of it the house is exactly what you are looking for. But I don't even have the keys and we haven't signed the papers." The missionary said that he wanted the house sight un seen. His wife said, "At least let me see the house."

They both knew that it was exactly the house that God wanted them to have. There is just something special about knowing that God is guiding in even the little details in life. Soon they were settled into their new house.

The missionary's small son, David, went out to the park in front of the house to play. He met all the kids and soon had lots of friends. One of the most special friends was named Alonso. It wasn't long until David was going over to their house and eating with them and spending lots of time with them. David began to invite them to church and to tell them that they had to be saved or go to Hell. They were very shocked and impressed with what they heard.

Alonso their son was going to Sunday School and church with David. One Sunday the Sunday School teacher, Julio Marquina, asked the following question during the lesson. "You are now saved and you are going to go to heaven. What are you going to do about your parents? Will you allow them to go to Hell without ever having heard the gospel plan?" Alonso also became concerned. He and David proceeded to do all they could to get Jorge and Eliana saved.

One Sunday they showed up at church out of no where. The missionary did not know who they were. They drove up in their own car. That was a real surprise. No one in the church had their own car. David came up to his parents and introduced him to this couple. They were a little embarrassed but very interested in the gospel. The missionary began having classes to explain the Bible with Jorge. He got saved as well as his entire family.

When Jorge began attending faithfully the missionary bought him a new Bible as a gift. Jorge later expressed that he was embarrassed about his new Bible. He said that the other folks had old Bibles that were worn out, well used, and marked. He couldn't wait until he could have a Bible that showed the use. He wanted to learn soon how to use the Bible like the others.

As Jorge heard messages on tithing and serving God he began to decide to really do something for God. One day he called the missionary and told him that he needed to see him immediately. The missionary was afraid that something was wrong. When he arrived Jorge called him to one side and said. Listen I have never tithed in all my life. I didn't even know about it, but now that I have heard what God says in his word I want to tithe. Here are $1,700. I hope that will kind of put me up to date. That money was part of what was used in the construction in the Hunter church.

Later as Jorge studied and learned he began to want others to know what he had learned. He invited his family to his house to have the missionary preach the gospel to them. Jorge grew up in Mollendo, a city of about 50,000 people on the Pacific coast of Peru. He still owned his childhood home. He asked the missionary if he would be willing to start a church in Mollendo so that he could reach his family that was still there.

Jorge has led his half brother Dante and family to Christ. The majority of the rest of them have at least been to one service. God is making a difference in his family. Like so many Peruvians Jorge comes from a broken family. As a little boy he didn't even have a daddy to sign his birth certificate. His older brother signed to give him a last name. Technically, on paper, his older brother is his dad.

When the missionary agreed Jorge let him know that he wanted to give his house and lot to the work. Today Jorge's old house is the home of the First Baptist Church of Mollendo.

Each Thursday at 6 am Jorge would go to the missionaries house for Bible study. He would then stay for breakfast and family devotions. Many mornings Jorge would cry because he would realize how great the grace of God had been in his family and his life. He told about his sinful past and how even as a child one of his aunts would tell him about Jesus but he just wouldn't accept it.

The greatest desire in Jorge's heart now is that his family would serve God. He is praying that God will call his sons to preach the gospel. His newest child was born after he was saved. His is so glad that one day his son will say that he was born in a Christian home and was always taught the word of God. David informs me now that when he spends the night in their home he sees Brother Jorge reading his Bible and studying. He has seen him sit his new baby, Josue, beside him and read the Bible to him. God has made a difference in his life.

Even though it is often thought to be impossible that Peruvian rich and poor can worship together (by the mission specialist) God has saved rich and poor and put them together in the Hunter Baptist church. God can and will do great things when His people give their lives for his service. All the family can work together to reach souls. It is not just the ministry of the missionary or his wife. The Jorge Montenegro family have all been saved thanks to the soul winning efforts of a 6 year old boy.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalms 32:8

And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

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