Blessed beyond borders

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CUSCO, Peru Juan Carlos Malpartida Linares and Denise Alvarez de Malpartida were strangers to North Dakota and Minot when they arrived here in September 2006 from their home in Cusco, Peru.

Here they studied the ministry and when they returned to their home in Peru last year, they left behind new-found friends in Minot and a community where they said people made them feel "at home."

Juan recently told about their return to Cusco and what is taking place there as a result of their studies in Minot.

The couple spent nearly a year in Minot studying the ministry at Minot Church of Christ with the guidance of Ethan Eadens and support of the church members. During their time in Minot they lived at the home of Grace Hendrickson.

"We returned in August of 2007 and began helping in the congregation that we had left from, teaching Bible studies in homes and (Juan) helping with the preaching which was shared by other church leaders," Juan said.

To support the two of them, Juan said he worked along with his father in an engineering project. "Denise, as a homemaker, had more time to help with the women's and children's ministry," Juan said.

But Juan had a very strong desire to be able to devote more time to the ministry and eventually sent out a work proposal to a few congregations in the U.S. who might be interested in working with them, he said.

"We were praying for God's will to be done, and by January we were able to receive support so I could serve full time in the ministry," he said.

When Juan and Denise returned to Cusco last year, the congregation in Cusco had an average of 50 to 60 people meeting each Sunday. "Now we are averaging 80 to 90," and have had 15 new conversions this year, Juan said.

The church group consists of families with young children, singles and also older adults. "So we have a good blend of ages," he said. "They are all residents of the Cusco area, which has a population of 350,000."

He said they also have home Bible studies with small groups, camps and retreats for teens and the congregation.

He said they also host missionary groups who come to Cusco to do evangelistic work. In November, he said they hosted "IV Conferencia Biblica Internacional de Mujeres," an event which took extensive planning by the women and was celebrated with 60 women coming from other countries including Bolivia, Chile, U.S. and other parts of Peru.

On a recent Sunday, Juan said 160 people attended their church.

A new church

Although the congregation has been in existence for many years, Juan said they have not had a building to call their own.

"We have been renting in different locations and saving for a building but had never been able to step forward with a plan," he said.

Since returning to Cusco, Juan said he has found a lot to build on which was a good price and location. He said they had about two-thirds of the money needed and each family was giving as much as possible to complete the amount.

"We were praying and also mentioned the request to the North County Church of Christ in Escondido, Calif., who was able to supply the final amount," Juan said.

"At that time we were happy with our own lot but God had more for us and provide(d) through Minot Church of Christ and Mount Zion Church of Christ also, and now we have been able to begin building a structure which is completed enough for us to meet there," he said.

Mount Zion Church of Christ is in Kentucky. David Eadens, Ethan Eadens' father, is an elder there, Juan said.

The floor and roof of the new church are finished and there are temporary walls, Juan said. "Myself as an engineer and Gustavo Leon as architect were able to donate our skills for God."

"We still need more help, but are so thankful how God has provided and we have a place to meet that we can call home. We call it Iglesia de Cristo en Wanchaq (Church of Christ in Wanchaq a sector of the city of Cusco)," Juan said.

Time spent in Minot

Of their time spent in Minot, Juan said, "For me it has been a great blessing from God to have this opportunity to be trained and better prepared to reach more people with the gospel ... I am very thankful to the church in Minot who made this possible."

Denise also gave her view: "The time in Minot was a blessing because I was able to learn more from the Word of God and share with others.

"The opportunity to be in another country and learn there has helped me to share with those here in my own country. Also, even though I was in a foreign land, I was treated with so much affection and I felt at home. I've learned that I want to show that kind of hospitality to those who God brings to my life here also," she said.

Juan said the congregation in Cusco also feels thankful "to God also because He has provided through us more organization and teaching for the group here."

Juan and Denise are in contact with Grace Hendrickson, who they lived with in Minot.

"Gracie and her oldest daughter's family were able to come to Cusco and visit this year which was wonderful. They also helped us with the building. Gracie always told us she wanted to come visit us here and it became a reality," Juan said.

Juan and Denise are expecting their first child in June. "We are excited about that, we pray for him or her to be a servant of God as well," Juan said.

Christmas in Peru

Now with the holiday season here, Juan and Denise are participating with others in the traditions of their home area.

"During the Christmas season we share special times and gifts," said Juan. "One of the customs in Cusco is to have a 'Chocolatada,' which includes hot chocolate and a special bread 'paneton' and give gifts to the children in the community and church.

"Some poor children wait all year long for this time because there is always someone who shares this Chocolatada with paneton, and a gift with them," he said.

A message to Minot

Juan and Denise said they miss the church and its members in Minot. "Your generosity motivates us to be generous to others. ... We remember you often and the times we had with you." He said their generosity means a great deal to them. He said he is thankful to Eadens for his guidance and that he (Juan) "is trying to do his best."

To the people of Minot and North Dakota, Juan said they thank everyone for welcoming them here "so much so that we felt at home."