A Message From Our Founder
After not being able to visit our team and the ministry in Iquitos for over a year, I was recently able to make it down for trip, devoted to future vision casting and team development.
The trip was bit of a blur because there was much lost time to make up and very little time to do it! Arriving in Iquitos after 24 hrs of travel, I found the team waiting for me and ready to get to work. We immediately began our meetings and got straight to work.
Two of our goals have been to restart Project J2:5 and remodel a small preexisting home on our land for director’s housing and also remodel a workshop behind our boys home into a technical learning and development center. While in Peru, I was able to negotiate labor cost, purchase materials, and put together a crew to execute these projects. In a few weeks, these projects will be completed.
From here, I spent a lot of time with our leadership team, planning and brainstorming how we would use the technical center for the men of Casa de Reyes to put the skills they are learning in their universities to practice, honing their craft and perfecting their trades. We are excited to share more as plans unfold and God moves through this facet of the ministry.
We were also able to install lights around our soccer field. One of the young men in our program, Jeygler, is in school for electrical engineering and completed the work alongside his mentor instructor. Now soccer tournaments can be hosted in the evenings when the sun is not so intense. We are thankful electricity is very affordable in Iquitos so the field can often be well-lit!
We decided to take a break and load the boys up in our jumbo (bus) and head to a local water park for a day of play and an evening on the town with some delicious chaufa (Chinese food)!
The following days, I spent time going over plans to execute our ministry’s original vision which it was founded upon: abandonment prevention through restoration and development of mothers who are trapped in a brutal cycle of extreme poverty and abuse. With new leadership in place, it was important for our team to discuss and strategize together as we move forward into developing this foundational piece of Kings & Queens’ reach. With new insight and vision, we excitedly anticipate the future of God’s plans unfolding.
We capped off our trip with a big barbecue and soccer tournament, where we celebrated each other and the mission God has entrusted us with! The team sends much love from Iquitos and immense gratitude for all the generosity contributed to this mission. Thank you for your continued support and prayers!
May God pave the way, and may we remain faithful and focused in pursuit of His will for this mission.
In Christ,
Titus Bowen
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17
Severe Flooding
Heavy monsoons of rain caused severe flooding in Peru this month, especially in Iquitos during their rainy season. The Amazon River is notorious for flooding within the city of Iquitos. This has given way to extreme mudslides and the total loss of homes and businesses, displacing families and wreaking more havoc in the economy amidst the continuing pandemic. And more rain is coming. We covet your prayers for this community as they continue bracing for the impact of weather.
On International Women's Day, our team was able to distribute food bags to community families in need. These opportunities to distribute food and essential items during the pandemic have offered space to build relationships with women in the community and get to know their stories. This will allow our future ministry plans a foundation for identifying women to be a part of our program.
Needs Fulfilled
We are so grateful for the abundance of support that was shown to provide much needed vitamins for the men of Casa de Reyes. Especially in the time of coronavirus, these vitamins will greatly support their overall health and immune systems.
All About the Boys
Several of the young men of Casa de Reyes enjoyed helping with the new construction projects. Two have begun to regularly landscape the property to earn extra income.
On his own time, Waltahir has begun to tutor a young man in English.
Virtual classes are still going strong, but the men in technical institutions are now meeting in person for classes.
Our psychologist continues to work with the men individually each week, as well as training our staff in supporting them mentally and emotionally, through a biblical lens.
The men have been studying forgiveness and reconciliation in their weekly Bible study.
