Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you well and that the Lord is working in your hearts and lives as much as He is in mine. My life was truly changed this summer when I was given the chance to go to Peru on a short term mission trip. The Lord surely had His hand in that experience, and He has kept it in my heart and on my mind ever since. Now I have been given the opportunity to minister to the people in Peru once again; however, this time my ministry time will be for approximately two and a half years. Jesus has commanded in Matthew 28: 18-20 to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Peru Mission exists for the purpose of encouraging and assisting churches throughout the world to engage in the task of building God’s city, and thus fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. They have 6 various ministries right now: Church Planting/Development, Seminario Biblico Reformado (SBR), a college ministry that also includes participating in Reformed University Fellowship, Medical Ministry, Economical Ministry, and a Music Ministry. My ministry would be to serve as administrative/accounting support for all of the ministries and ministers affiliated with Peru Mission. My work will relieve the missionaries of administrative work that is necessary but time consuming, thus allowing them to focus on work that directly deals with those we are ministering to in Peru. I will have the opportunity to be involved in one of the three churches already established in Peru, and commit my time to the people in the community as well as some of the ministries listed above. My job is a very important one that they are lacking greatly right now. Peru Mission recently restructured how the ministry is run, and they are desperately in need of more administrative help.
Mark 16: 15–16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. “
As I answer the call that God has laid on my heart, I hope that you will include me in your prayers. This road will not be the easiest one to take but I know that God will be there guiding and providing for me. Please also consider supporting my mission work financially. In order to be in Peru, I need to raise approximately $82,000 for the entire two and a half years. If the Lord leads you to give, tax deductible contribution may be made in lump sum or in monthly gifts. The easiest way to contribute is through the mission’s website, www.perumission.org, under the tab, “Giving.” On the left side of the page there will be a place to select a missionary’s name. Simply choose my name and follow the instructions. Another way to contribute is via mail, please include my name on the subject line of the check and mail to:
Christian Missionary Society
P.O. Box 53363
Knoxville, TN 37950
Your prayers mean a lot to me as I take this step of faith. Please pray that the Lord would use me in a way that He sees fit and that I will be open to His calling with no hesitation that His word would be preached to the ends of the earth.
Love and prayers from your Brother in Christ,
Dustin Smerdon
