Tim and Barb Whatley

After much prayer and struggle, Tim and Barb Whatley, Joy Akkermann, and Peruvian coworkers Rolando and Gladis finally purchased property for their church in the jungle town of Kiteni.

Then quarantines hit, but along with them came new ministry opportunities. From his rooftop each night, Tim led neighbors in singing Peru’s national anthem and saluting the police and military. On Sundays, Tim and Rolando preached from the rooftop through a loudspeaker. Their nearest neighbors, Ander and Betsabé, listened through a crack in the wall. Each decided to follow Christ. Other listeners received the Lord also.

The Lord provided the Whatleys with a mini recorder so they could broadcast gospel programs on the local radio station, even after rising COVID-19 cases prevented their access to the radio studio. With help from US donors, the Kiteni team distributed food to 16 Peruvian churches and works, with more planned. The Whatleys wrote, “Neither the gates of hell nor the restrictions of COVID-19 can stand against the power of God’s Word! Onward and upward!”

Stan and Ruth Templeton

In February, Stan Templeton spoke at a pastors’ family retreat packed wall to wall with 200 people. After quarantines, Stan shifted his teaching ministry online as he taught youth, seminary students, and church association members. Stan and his wife, Ruth, along with their Peruvian teammates, continued expanding their radio network, Red Radio Integridad. The team opened a new station in Chachapoyas. Throughout quarantines, Red Radio Integridad stations have reached thousands of housebound people who might never otherwise have heard the Good News.

Fetzer Academy: Allan and Diane Frey, Heidi Robbins

In Lima, Peru, the school year started out normally but became just as improvised as what schools in the US experienced. Fetzer Academy MK school shifted to online classes, but Academy administrator Allan Frey made sure this year’s graduate was honored with a ceremony at her home (live-streamed for other Fetzer families).

Heidi Robbins and Diane Frey held Fetzer Academy’s AWANA chapel and game time online. Diane wrote, “I didn’t know games could be so much fun on Zoom!”