Sheridan and Anita Stanton have served the Lord in Peru since 1983. Their main ministry is church planting and they have helped establish churches all over the country. Sheridan also works to train pastors and Anita works with the ladies’ ministry and developing children’s material.

March 8, 2014

Dear friends,

Construction continues at a steady pace on the Calvary Baptist Church building here in Huánuco, Peru. Counseling and construction has consumed most of my time during the month of February. The concrete roof is still drying for the second floor, and we have most of the exterior walls finished on the third floor. The ceiling support braces will be removed on Monday and the cement plastering of the brick walls will commence the same day. Our men have one week to finish the plastering until our drywall instructor from the States comes on the 18th. Please continue to pray that all goes according to schedule without delays or accidents. The folks of Calvary Baptist are excited about getting into the new building. We have been in and out of temporary rental buildings for several years, but through it all, the members have been constant and faithful in giving and attendance. The Lord willing we will organize this work around the end of the year. Thanks for your prayers and please continue to give if you feel led so we can finish the building completely.

Counseling is an everyday part of my ministry. It seems the Lord keeps opening this door wider and wider each month. I have been counseling with two people in Spain by way of the internet using Skype. Not as good as face-to-face counseling but it is a new alternative. One the counselees in Spain has asked me to ask all of you to pray for her. She is a 43 year old single, Christian woman that is severely depressed and has begun to have doubts about God and salvation. There are very few Evangelical Christians in Spain and those that are there are spiritually starving for fellowship. Dear friends never take for granted the blessing of fellowship you have in your local church. Many Christians around the world are isolated and discouraged; please say a prayer for them once in a while.

A young 21 year old mother of a three year old was referred to me by a local psychologist here in Huánuco. The girl was chronically depressed and suicidal with no family support. She has a history of trauma and sexual abuse but after taking her history and listening to her pain and desperation I presented her with the gospel and she trusted Christ as her Savior. She comes to sessions now with a smile on her face and hope in her heart. There are still a lot of issues to work through but she is faithful in what I call “discipleship therapy” and she even comes on time (not a common practice in Peru!). Confidentiality prohibits me from giving you her name, but please pray for this young mother also. Thanks.

I am actively working with four other counselees besides the two I’ve mentioned. Three of them have also manifested suicidal ideations. I’m not sure why, but it appears this is the field of counseling the Lord has called me to for now. Seeing people at their very worst, day after day, and listening to some of the most horrendous stories of abuse takes a toll on me too. Please continue to pray for me to have wisdom and compassion to work with them and that my life would manifest the love of Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit of God is the real counselor and I continue to be amazed each time I see HIM work in the lives of these desperate souls by turning them to trust and joy in Jesus.

Anita is doing a wonderful job with her Women’s Bible Study each week. She puts a lot of time into preparation and the women are very faithful in their attendance. One of the ladies comes periodically for counseling and told me Anita’s Bible class was the highlight of her week! Please remember Anita in your prayers also, her knees continue to cause her a lot of pain. Other than that we both continue to be in pretty good health, just getting older like the rest of you!

I traveled to the Central Jungle town of Pucallpa the third week of February for an anniversary meeting with the Liberty Baptist Church. It was a good meeting but spiritually difficult.

The work here in Peru is the Lord’s work and HE uses you all to keep it going. God continues to bless here and Anita and I thank HIM every day for the calling HE has given us to work in this beautiful country. Thanks again for all of your prayers and support.

Thank you and may God continue to bless you all. Until next month.

Being “In Christ” by God’s grace, 

Sheridan and Anita Stanton
Apartado Postal 140
Huanuco, Peru
South America
(614) 500-8823 – Internet Number

sestantonperu[at]hotmail.com – Sheridan
arstantonperu[at]gmail.com – Anita

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