“Join the journey . . . not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going.”

Baptist Evangelistic Ministry Endeavors – Latin America

Dr. Andy Counterman, Director. 2601 South 14th Street, Burlington, IA 52601 Phone: 410-804-3767

email: counterman.andrew@gmail.com Support/funding: Central Missionary Clearinghouse, PO Box 219228, Houston, TX 77218-9228

BEME-LA September 2020

Translators Dennis Stinchcomb Daniel Valcárcel Christie Esparza

Dear friends, prayer warriors, and supporters of BEME-LA,

Director

Dr. Andrew Counterman

Board of Overseers

John Bott

Wilds of NC

Pastor Wayne Burggraff

Faith Baptist Church Lebanon, PA

Pastor Simeon Counterman

Calvary Baptist Church, Burlington,

IA

Pastor Randy King Wyldewood Baptist

Church Oshkosh, WI

Pastor Bill Schneider Fellowship Baptist

Church, Upper Marlboro, MD

Dr. Bob Vallier

Church Business Ministries Greer, SC

Pastor Kevin Zander

Neuse Baptist Church

Wake Forest, NC

Praise the Lord, Peru is opening up! That said, the guidelines have been sketchy. In-person Sunday worship is still not allowed in many areas, but our men continue to have services online and on the rooftops. Some of our church starters have concluded their food distribution because the quarantine has been lifted. It is sad and good at the same time. They have many new converts to follow up and disciple. The sad side is the reduction of folks coming for food and the opportunity to share the gospel through open air preaching. There has been much fruit of salvation during this time. Let’s pray that these new children of God continue to grow and obey the Word in baptism and church membership. Our men in Colombia are seeing a national reopening, but in Bogotá, the mayor will not allow Sunday churching. As we go into our fall and winter months, they are going into their spring and summer; a busy time even without the COVID challenges.

Many of our churches have been doing construction projects during this time of quarantine. We’re thankful for the progress being made on their buildings. Jo and I have been on the road each weekend of September, and will continue through the month of October. We pray we will see a commitment to monthly support for BEME-LA from these churches. Thank you for your support and prayers for safety, health, and the furtherance of the gospel.

Andrew Counterman, Director of BEME-LA

Dr. Andrew and Jo Ellen Counterman

“Join the journey . . . not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going.”

Baptist Evangelistic Ministry Endeavors – Latin America

Dr. Andy Counterman, Director. 2601 South 14th Street, Burlington, IA 52601 Phone: 410-804-3767

email: counterman.andrew@gmail.com Support/funding: Central Missionary Clearinghouse, PO Box 219228, Houston, TX 77218-9228

A Race Against Time In preparation for the return of the rainy season, which extends from October-November to April, churches are making last-minute pushes for progress. The workers at Roca Fuerte Baptist Church (Alcides Peña) have been busy building a provisional retaining wall to reinforce the wall where foundation and first floor construction will take place next year, Lord-willing.

Kiteni Baptist Church (Rolando Arias) has extended the third floor roof so that rooftop services can continue. After successfully persevering through the dangerous process of excavating the side of a mountain to make room for additions, the next steps are to build footers for the new building and a 4-story retaining wall on the mountainside.

Roca Fuerte- completed

retention wall: the first floor of

the new building will be above

Pictured left is before the excavation debris was removed. On the right is an outline of the property provided by Pastor Rolando’s missionary partners, the Whatleys. The plan is to add on and renovate the lower area for a first-floor sanctuary, and to build up for classrooms and living spaces. While it is a blessing that both of these projects have advanced despite fluctuating restrictions of quarantine, the loss of help from US work teams has negatively impacted the speed of

progress and the cost.

“Join the journey . . . not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going.”

Baptist Evangelistic Ministry Endeavors – Latin America

Dr. Andy Counterman, Director. 2601 South 14th Street, Burlington, IA 52601 Phone: 410-804-3767

email: counterman.andrew@gmail.com Support/funding: Central Missionary Clearinghouse, PO Box 219228, Houston, TX 77218-9228

Do it Heartily

Since we last reported in July, Gracia y Fe Baptist Church (Juan Huillca) decided to take on the 3-year lease agreement for the adjacent house where the orphanage used to be. Pastor Juan shared that the Lord had clearly opened the door, so to speak, by providing the upfront funds needed through donations, sacrificial giving of its own members, and a small loan. The people of Gracia y Fe have already been fixing up the new space to ready it for the Lord’s work.

Almost immediately, through donations and church members coming together, the Lord provided for that work. Gracia y Fe started running a soup kitchen. They have been making enough to serve about 30 lunches on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the past month. Many children and elderly have come, and

they are open to the gospel. A man named Daniel accepted the Lord after he declared, “I want to be saved. Can you help me?” We are pleased to share that BEME-LA supporting churches had a large involvement in both the acquisition of the property and the opening of the soup kitchen, praise the Lord. Please know we value your investments.

“Join the journey . . . not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going.”

Baptist Evangelistic Ministry Endeavors – Latin America

Dr. Andy Counterman, Director. 2601 South 14th Street, Burlington, IA 52601 Phone: 410-804-3767

email: counterman.andrew@gmail.com Support/funding: Central Missionary Clearinghouse, PO Box 219228, Houston, TX 77218-9228

I would like to have a part in Latin American ministries. Please accept my gift of $_____for:

Visit www.myclickandgive.com for online giving options. Select CMC,

search Andrew Counterman

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the

name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

*Please make checks payable to Central Missionary Clearinghouse*

General Fund Support

National Church Starters

Building Projects

Administrative Support

Precious in His Sight

Prayer Requests • For safe travels as our director is

presenting BEME-LA every weekend for the next several weeks.

• For the Lord to allow hearts to be receptive to partnering with this ministry, so that we could meet our financial goals.

• For the health care situation in Latin America, especially as quarantine lifts. This virus has hit close to home for each one of our men. May God protect them and their families.

• For provision for building projects and food distribution ministries.

It is certain that children have been in the forefront of all of our minds, with the uncertainty surrounding school and daycare arrangements here in the US. We can also remember in prayer the children of the men we support!

Alcides Peña’s children, Josue, Jonatán, Hana, and Eliab have been schooling virtually for the past 6 months (their school year runs March-December). Click here for a video of the 3 youngest singing “Read your Bible, Pray every Day” in Quechua and Spanish.

Juan Huillca and his wife Isabel are praying to be blessed with their first child, if it is God’s will.

Rolando Arias and his children

Paúl and Abigail

Douglas Serrudo and his wife Raquel with their daughters Heidi Priscila and Havila Mariel