The story below, of a pastor in Peru, is very similar to the testimonies from other pastors we meet around the world. They have given up everything for the sake of the gospel and are hungry for teaching and discipleship. Through gifts to the Books for Pastors fund, spiritually hungry pastors from around the world are being trained and discipled.

Julio Sotelo with his own copy of The Disciple-Making Minister

Gaining riches and power were his life’s goals. An ambitious banker, Julio Sotelo, of Peru, was even criticized by his own staff for being greedy. By his own admission, he cared for himself and no one else. Although Julio’s mother prayed for him daily and his co-workers often talked to him about Jesus, he never had time for God. He did not want anyone to get in the way of his plans.

That all changed twelve years ago as Julio was walking home from work. He was hit by a motorcyclist who left him for dead in the middle of the road. Julio remembers walking through a long, dark tunnel. In the darkness he remembered something a friend had always told him, “In your worst of times, cling to Jesus.” So as Julio walked, he spoke the words, “Jesus, I cling to you.” Immediately he saw a bright light and began to walk towards it. As soon as he arrived at the light, he regained consciousness and found himself lying on a hospital bed. At that very moment, he gave his life to Jesus and promised that he would follow Him wherever He wanted him to go.

That was the beginning of Julio’s new life. Giving up his love of money and dreams of a lavish lifestyle, Julio moved to a remote region of Peru and began preaching and teaching the gospel to villagers. He has since planted three churches.

Three pastors from the Huarez conference with their copies of The Disciple-Making Minister

Julio recently joined over one-hundred other pastors from throughout Peru for a two-day pastors’ conference taught by Heaven’s Family International Director, Chuck King. Throughout the conference, Julio was inspired and convicted by Chuck’s message. After the conference, he said that he realized how much of his ministry has been committed to pleasing men instead of pleasing Jesus. Julio also received a copy of the Spanish translation of The Disciple-Making Minister, made possible through gifts to the Books for Pastors Fund. Because you have contributed to that fund, you should know how your gifts are touching many pastors’ lives in Peru and around the world.

Thanks so very much.

C.J.

Learn how the Books for Pastors Fund is better equipping tens of thousands of pastors for biblical ministry.

Aathmajothi Sulaxana from Eastern Children’s Home in Sri Lanka

Thirolohum Silosini from Eastern Children’s Home in Sri Lanka

Dear Friends,

Due to the civil war in northeastern Sri Lanka, it has been very difficult for our partners there to take updated photos of many of the orphans whom we support each month. However, it looks like the war is now over, and we’ve begun to receive some beautiful photos of our children. Four of those photos are included in this update. Our hope is that within a month we’ll have updated photos of every one of our Sri Lankan orphans. When that happens, they will be posted at the Orphan’s Tear website, and if you sponsor a child in Sri Lanka, you will be able to see how your child has grown. If we have your email address, we’ll notify you when your child’s photo is ready to view.

Nagendiran Kunasiya from Eastern Children’s Home in Sri Lanka

A Few Changes with the Orphan’s Tear Update

Beginning next month, we’re making a few small changes in how we administrate Orphan’s Tear. One small change is that we will no longer be sending out a monthly Orphan’s Tear Update on the 20th of the month. Rather, we’ll be sending out periodic mini-updates as we are now doing with the various restricted funds of Heaven’s Family. There are six restricted funds under our Orphan’s Tear division: the Special Gifts Fund, the Dorms for Orphanages Fund, the Child Sponsorship Fund, the Older Orphans Educational Fund, the Rice Fields for Orphanages Fund, and once a year, the Christmas Gifts Fund. In every case, 100% of what you give to any of the funds is sent overseas to be used for its restricted purpose.

If you have given to any of the six restricted funds of Orphan’s Tear, a dedicated Heaven’s Family staff member will be keeping you updated with periodic good reports. Our goal is to keep you as informed as you want to be.

Another change is that we will be including more about our Orphan’s Tear division in the monthly Heaven’s Family magazine.

Please Pray for Our Orphans in Myanmar

Thirulohom Dharshika from Eastern Children’s Home in Sri Lanka

Myanmar, where most of our sponsored orphans live, is in the midst of its rainy season, which means more sickness than usual. This year the situation is even more serious because of reported cases of swine flu. Every day we receive emails from the orphanage directors asking us to pray for the children. Many are in the clinic or hospital with malaria and dysentery. We are receiving reports of children getting better and leaving the clinic, too. Please keep the orphans in Myanmar in your prayers.

As always, our thanks to you. Over 1,000 orphans in eight impoverished countries are being sustained because of your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. May He help us to walk worthy of our calling!

For the Children,

David