Church Anniversary in Pamplona Alta
Mike spoke three times as the main speaker at the anniversary of the Ollantay church in Pamplona Alta. There were attendees from at least four other churches that are daughter churches or friendly churches. The church was planted by Baptist missionaries as one of the first churches in its area and was celebrating its 46th anniversary. We made some good contacts for future conferences and classes, as well.
Novermber 2018 Prayer Requests
- For some speedy doctors appointments and for good health.
- For all the other details we need to wrap up before we come to the US on November 19th. Home repairs, veterinarian visits, etc.
- For safe travel, both in Peru and as we travel to the US.
- For wisdom in accepting opportunities. We are aiming for a less stressful schedule that will be better for health.
- For wisdom in making decisions. The ministry could go in several different directions, and we need to choose the way that God wants.
- For Paco Laos as he leads the ministry teams here while we are in the US. Pray for safe travels, protection, and wisdom.
- For the online classes we are preparing. This is a new direction for us
- For teaching trainees. We have quite a few volunteers, but we want to pick a few to really invest time and training in.
- For strength and persistence for the pastors we were training in Pomabamba. They are in a time of transition to more independence and responsibility.
- For Ancash coordinator Jose Marco Dominguez, who is going through the same challenges as the area pastors.
Trip to Ancash
This video was taken on the way back--much, much easier than the trip there.
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It snowed while we were crossing the mountains.
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Some of the pastors learning how to put the gospel in a Bible story. These guys can tell 150 different stories!
I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. Ps. 121
Marriage Conference Part 2
The picture is the cover of the handout booklet of Bible verses, notes, and exercises that each attendee received.
Following up
In September we officially started following up on the ministry in northern Ancash province, where we have been working with missionary church planters Russ and Sherry Fleetwood. They are going to Colombia, and we are moving into the next step, training pastors there.
Their team member Jose Marco Dominguez (wearing the blue hat in the picture) is now a missionary with RCP, our Peruvian organization. He will be the area coordinator.
Marriage conference
We did the "pilot episode" of the marriage conference at Iglesia Buen Pastor.
Both the men and the women enjoyed it and said they learned from it.
This was the first time we've done this one, so we were busy creating materials all day, every day the week before. The second half will take place on October 13 & 14.
Both the men and the women enjoyed it and said they learned from it.
This was the first time we've done this one, so we were busy creating materials all day, every day the week before. The second half will take place on October 13 & 14.
Camp Pearl Blast
The theme was very apt as we all got to see what God is doing in the lives of some very special young folks. The picture above shows one of the "works". These young folks came forward to show to their peers, all in attendance and especially God, that they desire to serve God with their lives as missionaries, pastors, teachers or in whatever they do. These two weeks were fun, exhausting and well worth the time!
June Milestones
IN U.S.: We spoke at Moss Bluff, and Grace Bible churches in Louisiana, and Beaumont Bible Church in Texas. We also led music at Elk Ridge Baptist in Texas and taught at Jr. and Sr. High Camps at Camp Pearl in Louisiana.
Coming up in July
Our new grandbaby due to be born July 9. Please pray for health and safety for our daughter, Becky Gomez, and the baby.
Mike's trip back to Peru. Pray for safety in travel and a quick adjustment.
Elk Ridge Baptist Mission Trip to Peru. Our son-in-law Pastor Miguel Gomez will be leading the trip. They will be working in our area of Lima and Pastor Daniel MeCabe will be teaching in Huaraz (up in the mountains) with Mike. Please pray for a safe trip that ministers to the team as well as the Peruvian people.
$105 Challenge!
Now I need to say this:
STOP! DON'T GATHER UP THOSE OLD BIBLES TO SEND TO US! WE NEED BIBLES IN EASY-TO-READ SPANISH! You can still help, though.
Consider making a $105 yearly pledge as a family.
$105 will provide:
One Bible per family (average church has 20 families)
A study Bible for the pastor
A copy of FUNFE for a Sunday School curriculum
A teacher's ticket to come and do a Bible conference for the church so they can really use the Bibles.
We'd love for your family to join our team, because together we can fulfill the Great Commission!
Prayer warriors needed
Facebook messenger: Mike Riggs or Tammy Meeker Riggs
Whatsapp: Tammy Riggs
Frequently Asked Questions Part 1
How did you become missionaries?
Mike answered a call to missions in church as a teenager, but became alienated from a graceless church and wouldn't darken a church door until after Mike and Tammy's first child was born. After they both started following Jesus, they became youth leaders, and then Mike felt a reactivation of the call to be a missionary. Tammy's response: NO! If we do that we will never have matching furniture!
Their pastor advised Mike to not push this issue. If the desire was from God, then Tammy would feel it too. Sometime later, she was reading a book about worldviews to review for the youth group. She realized that God had saved her from the futility and hopelessness that most people are experiencing, but that she was more concerned with having a nice middle class life than helping others experience that hope. She decided whatever, God wanted or wherever He led, that's what she'd do. Mike decided to attend a school to prepare for ministry.
They went to Southeastern Bible College with three children and a fourth on the way. They learned a lot about depending on God! They applied to mission boards and were rejected as too old, or with too many children (they have five in all), or in one case, that the mission only wanted candidates with a doctorate in education or theology. Although Mike has a doctorate now, this really discouraged him then. We lived in Alabama for 13 years. Mike served as pastor in several churches. This was actually a necessary part of his training, although they didn't know it at the time.
Then one Sunday Mike heard a message in church from a missionary who taught in mobile Bible institutes, and felt a strong desire to apply to that mission. Tammy's response: YES! The mission board sent them to Peru.
How long have you been in Peru?
We have been in Peru since 2004. We have been with three different mission boards, but always in the same country.
Are you ever in danger there?
We have been robbed several times by robbers both armed and unarmed. When we lived Andahuaylas the town was repeatedly shut down by riots that were sometimes violent and we have run from a few rioting crowds. Mountain roads are always dangerous! Here's a video showing what is actually one of the better roads we have traveled.
What's your question? Please ask!
Ministry in Peru continues while we are in the US
In March, while we were up in Iowa, the team in Peru was doing an evangelistic campaign and training pastors in evangelism. They were rained out one day but were given an hour on the radio to make up for it. A ministry that heard the program is interested in providing radio transmitters if we will broadcast solid teaching for rural communities.
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| Attendees at open air evangelism look on as Jorge Ortiz presents the gospel |
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